University of Cambridge
Spinout Investments

Low Carbon Cement Development

Ventures

University of Cambridge spin-out Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC) raises £2.25m seed funding round to industrialise low carbon, circular cement production.

Cambridge Electric Cement, a sustainable cement spin-out from the University of Cambridge, has developed the world’s first process for making low carbon, recycled cement, by processing it through the same electric arc furnaces (EAFs) as those used in steel recycling.

CEC was founded in 2022 to commercialise low carbon cement research by academic co-founders Professor Julian Allwood, Doctor Cyrille Dunant, and Doctor Pippa Horton. CEC’s breakthrough process co-recycles steel and cement to produce a low carbon, circular cement product that offers a very low emissions, circular, and scalable alternative to existing cement production. CEC’s cement product targets a direct replacement for current Portland Cement (i.e. CEM I), delivering equivalent performance without the negative environmental impact.

The team at CEC working with its established industry partner network – AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty, CELSA UK, Day Group, Materials Processing Institute, and Tarmac – on the ‘Cement 2 Zero’ industrial demonstrator project to certify and commercialise the product initially in low-risk, non-structural construction applications. By combining transformational sustainability impact with its scalable, low capex model, CEC’s proposition offers a unique advantage over current technologies.

Graphic illustrating the sustainability cycle of Cambridge Electric Cement. At the top, ‘INTRODUCING CAMBRIDGE ELECTRIC CEMENT INTO EMISSIONS | NO LANDFILL’ is written. The cycle starts with ‘Extraction,’ indicating raw materials and water are taken, followed by ‘Construction,’ where buildings, roads, bridges are made using steel & cement. Next is ‘Demolition,’ showing buildings and bridges being dismantled. Then comes ‘Separation,’ where steel and stone material is sorted from non-recyclable content. The final step is ‘Recycling,’ where separated materials are recycled back into use. The Cambridge Electric Cement logo is at the centre of the cycle.

The key innovation is the substitution of recovered cement paste (RCP) for the lime used in the steel recycling process. Critically, CEC has proven that electric arc furnaces (EAFs) provide the right conditions to reactivate RCP extracted from old concrete waste, without interfering with the steelmaking. This co-production process avoids both the kiln-related energy and calcination process emissions from conventional cement production, and leverages existing steelmaking infrastructure. The team’s scientific research continues not only at the University of Cambridge, but also with research teams at the University of Warwick and Imperial College lead by Zushu Li and Rupert Myers, leveraging £2m funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

This £2.25 million seed funding round was led by decarbonisation-focused Zero Carbon Capital, investing alongside existing investor Legal & General, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Parkwalk Advisors, Delph25, and Almanac Ventures. This investment will enable CEC to industrialise production of its sustainable cement at CELSA UK’s EAF facility in Cardiff, deliver a real-world construction demonstrator, and advance offtake agreements with partners and customers.

Chris Gibbs, Investment Director at Cambridge Enterprise, says:

“CEC’s co-production process for sustainable cement is an elegant and revolutionary innovation. Cambridge Enterprise Ventures is delighted to invest and support the team as they commercialise this transformative technology which has the potential to make a significant impact on carbon emissions.”

“We are thrilled to support CEC as they embark on this exciting journey. Their innovative decarbonisation technology paired with the use of existing infrastructure addresses a significant gap and has huge abatement and commercial potential. We believe in the team’s vision and their ability to execute, and we look forward to working together.” Pippa Gawley, Co-founder and General Partner at Zero Carbon Capital

“As an experienced energy transition investor and leading asset manager across private infrastructure, real estate, and credit, we see both the investment opportunity and operational imperative to reduce carbon emissions embedded throughout these sectors. We are proud to have supported the establishment of CEC and its preparation for this successful seed investment raise. The built environment requires substantial change to reduce emissions and reach net zero, and this challenge is a huge opportunity for institutional investors like Legal & General. We can invest early and take a long-term view to help innovative businesses develop and deliver effective decarbonisation solutions.” John Bromley, Managing Director of Clean Energy & Climate Strategy, Asset Management (Private Markets), Legal & General

Image Credits:

Banner: Shutterstock
Image 1: CEC Introduction Infographic
Image 2: CEC EAF Furnace

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