The Innovandi Open Challenge 2024, led by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), is now underway, uniting tech startups and industry leaders in a global mission for net-zero emissions.
What to expect from the programme?
The programme encourages startups worldwide to contribute to the development of carbon capture use and storage technologies for low-carbon cement and concrete.
Innovative solutions, including process-integrated and end-of-pipe CO2 capture and use, are sought to prevent carbon emissions.
In its third edition, the Innovandi Open Challenge continues to build on successes. The 2022 focus on carbon capture technology propelled two startups to the pilot stage. Following the 2nd challenge last year, which centered on low-carbon concrete, discussions are underway with 15 startups and manufacturers for potential partnerships.
Claude Loréa, the GCCA’s Cement, Innovation and ESG Director, says, “Our industry is committed to achieving net zero and the development of carbon capture technology is a key part of that work.”
“Our world-leading Innovandi Open Challenge programme has already seen remarkable progress being made in just two years, with startups and our member companies working together. We’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s applicants can bring, to build on the extensive work that is already underway across the world.”
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, adds, “We already know CCUS technology works, with pilots and projects underway across the world, but it’s crucial to see what other innovations are out there, beyond our industry, that could help accelerate our net zero mission.”
“We encourage applications from startups around the globe to join us in the urgent fight to limit global warming. If you are a startup from Austria to Australia, from Brazil to Bangladesh, with an innovative idea or technology to further develop CCUS, then you should be applying.”
Startups keen on joining the third Innovandi Open Challenge can find more details here. The application deadline is 15 April.
The cement industry’s roadmap to net-zero
All GCCA members, constituting 80 per cent of global cement production capacity (excluding China), and key Chinese manufacturers have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
This pledge is outlined in the GCCA’s Concrete Future 2050 Net Zero Roadmap, setting a global industry precedent.
Additionally, the GCCA has entered an agreement with the China Cement Association (CCA) to collaborate on decarbonisation efforts.
The industry’s roadmap to net zero gains momentum with a focus on new technologies, notably carbon capture and storage. Projections indicate that this technology will contribute around 36 per cent of total emission reductions by 2050.
It is anticipated that by late 2024, the first industrial-scale cement plant, equipped with CO2 capture technology, will be near completion at the Heidelberg Materials site in Brevik, Norway. Multiple additional plants with similar technology are slated to open by 2030.
