Published by Todd Bush on February 26, 2024
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A pioneering international programme, which brings together tech start-ups and leading manufacturers in the pursuit of net zero, has launched.
Innovandi Open Challenge 2024 is run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the industry’s leading international body which is focused on helping the global cement industry reduce its emissions and ultimately achieve net zero concrete.
>> In Other News: Westport Announces Methanol HPDI™ Project with a Leading Global Supplier of Power Solutions for Marine Applications
Applications are being encouraged from start-ups from around the world, interested in working on the development of carbon capture use and storage, for low carbon cement and concrete. Innovative technologies are sought, which include process integrated and end-of-pipe CO2 capture and use, and help prevent the carbon being emitted into the atmosphere.
This will be the 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge and builds on the success of previous years. The first challenge, in 2022, also focused on the development of carbon capture technology, and two start-ups have already gone to pilot stage. The 15 start-ups shortlisted in last year’s 2nd Innovandi Challenge, to work on the development of low carbon concrete, are currently in discussion with manufacturers about forming partnerships.
Claude Loréa, the GCCA’s Cement, Innovation and ESG Director, said: “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 start-ups 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.”
All GCCA members who account for 80% of global cement production capacity outside of China, and a number of leading Chinese manufacturers, have committed to reaching net zero, by 2050, through the GCCA’s Concrete Future 2050 Net Zero Roadmap – the first global industry to set out such a detailed plan. The GCCA has also recently signed a ground-breaking agreement to work together on decarbonisation with the China Cement Association (CCA).
The development of new technologies is a key part of the industry’s roadmap to net zero, and carbon capture and storage technology is expected to account for around 36% of total emission reductions by 2050.
The industry’s first industrial-scale cement plant equipped with CO2 capture technology is scheduled to be mechanically completed at the Heidelberg Materials site in Brevik, Norway, by the end of 2024, with several more plants expected to open by 2030.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said: “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 start-ups around the globe to join us in the urgent fight to limit global warming. If you are a start up from Austria to Australia, from Brazil to Bangladesh, with an innovative idea or technology to further develop CCUS, then you should be applying.”
Jonathan Cool, CEO of Ultra High Materials, a start-up which participated in last year’s Open Challenge, encouraged others to apply: “The support, guidance, exposure to the GCCA membership and the facilitation of collaborative opportunities with GCCA members has been effective, efficient and it's made a beneficial impact for all of us. Given the option to do it all again, we certainly would.”
Start-ups interested in applying to the third Innovandi Open Challenge, can click here for more information. The deadline for applications is 15th April.
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Inside This Issue 🌲 Living Carbon Announces Agreement with Microsoft for 1.4 Million Tonnes of Carbon Removal from Reforestation of Former Mine Lands in Appalachia 🏭 US Energy Expands Carbon Captu...
Inside This Issue 🧬 Occidental's Bold Bet on Carbon Removal: What the Holocene Acquisition Really Means 🌊 Project to Suck Carbon Out of Sea Begins in UK 🧱 NovoMOF Raises $5.4 Million to Scale Up L...
Inside This Issue 🧪 CF Industries Announces Joint Venture with JERA Co., Inc., and Mitsui & Co., Inc., for Production and Offtake of Low-Carbon Ammonia 🪨 Microsoft Signs Large Carbon Removal D...
Anaergia and Capwatt Sign Binding Letter of Intent for Nine New Biogas Plants in Europe
Follow-up agreement builds on past cooperation between the companies TREVIGLIO, Italy & BURLINGTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anaergia Inc. (“Anaergia”, the “Company”, “us”, or “our”) (TSX:ANR...
Cummins Launches Next-Gen Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the UAE Middle East - English USA
Cummins Arabia and Cummins Middle East jointly launched Cummins' new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at an exclusive event held in Dubai on Monday, April 14. The launch was attended by key cu...
Living Carbon, a public benefit company transforming degraded and underutilized land into high quality environmental assets, announced today that Microsoft has agreed to purchase 1.4 million tonnes...
NovoMOF Raises $5.4 Million to Scale Up Low-Cost Carbon Capture Materials
novoMOF said it has raised CHF 4.4 million (USD $5.4 million) to further advance its sustainable materials for low-cost carbon capture in high-emissions industrial sectors. Founded in 2017 as a sp...
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.