Open Innovation Challenge calls to start-ups in drive towards net zero concrete
by CM staff
Follows success of first Open Challenge which focused on carbon capture.
Applications for the 2023 GCCA Innovandi Open Challenge are now open (Graphic: Business Wire)
LONDON — Start-ups with efforts to cut CO2 emissions and help solve the climate challenge are being invited to apply for the Innovandi Open Challenge, run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and its member companies across the world.
“We’re calling on the best and the brightest from around the world to join us in the urgent fight to limit global warming and help towards delivering the great prize of net zero concrete,” said Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA. “If you are a start up from Austria to Australia, from Brazil to Bangladesh, with an innovative idea or technology, then we want to hear from you.”
Applicants are being asked to work on the development of new materials and ingredients for low carbon concrete – a step towards the goal of net zero concrete.
The global challenge matches start-up companies with cement and concrete manufacturers, who operate across the world, to work on initiatives to cut emissions and pioneer environmental change across the industry.
The GCCA and its members account for 80 per cent of global cement production capacity outside of China, as well as some key Chinese manufacturers. Member companies have committed to reducing and ultimately eliminating CO2 emissions in concrete (which currently account for around 7 per cent globally), through implementation of the GCCA’s Concrete Future 2050 Net Zero Roadmap.
The launch follows last year’s first Innovandi Open Challenge, which saw cement companies partnering with six start-ups, with a focus on carbon capture and utilisation projects. Three of those projects have gone to pilot stage.
“Concrete is the second most used substance on earth after water and is a vital part of our modern infrastructure. The GCCA and all our members are working hard to reduce emissions. And start-ups can play a big role in helping us to do that,” said Guillot.
Start-ups can find more information here: https://gccassociation.org/innovandi/openchallenge/oc2023
