Ecocem is pioneering the industrial-scale deployment of low-carbon cement in Europe. Its Dunkirk facility in Northern France is set to become the first commercial production site for ACT (Advanced Cement Technology), a breakthrough innovation that can cut CO₂ emissions from cement manufacturing by up to 70% with no significant cost increase. Backed by strong partnerships, public support and a compelling business case, Ecocem is on track to deliver ACT to market by 2026.

Founding Vision

Cement accounts for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Ecocem has spent more than a decade developing ACT (Advanced Cement Technology) that cuts emissions by replacing most of the clinker – the most carbon-intensive ingredient in cement – with alternative materials.

The low-clinker formula delivers up to 70% lower emissions compared to conventional cement, without compromising performance or cost. This is crucial in a market where the most widely advocated solutions for low or zero-carbon cement can increase costs to the end customer by up to two or three times. Importantly, Ecocem ACT can be used within existing construction practices, with high performance levels and as a ‘drop-in’ solution, making rapid adoption feasible. During the development stage over 30 demonstration projects were completed covering the most common applications such as building foundations, columns, and slabs.

The Dunkirk plant will be the first to host a full-scale ACT production line, serving Northern France, the Paris region, and export markets. ACT uses locally available blast furnace slag and mineral additions with the site being strategically located in a Regional Aid Zone and benefiting from robust port infrastructure and proximity to major construction markets.

Charting a way to the market

Traditional cement manufacturing has remained largely unchanged for 200 years, with the traditional regulatory environment creating a barrier for innovative projects like ACT. Recognising this, Ecocem worked early to ensure regulatory access. The technology has already obtained a European Technical Assessment (ETA) and is undergoing certification by France’s Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (CSTB), while the European cement norm (EN 197) will be revised by the end of 2026 to include ACT. Concrete standards are also being updated in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Financing and Partnerships

The €50 million project is financed entirely with debt, supported by a €4 million public grant. Ecocem’s strong balance sheet and 22 years of profitable trading enabled this rare financing structure.

The supply chain is secured through long-term partnerships: blast furnace slag from ArcelorMittal, ground clinker from established producers and minerals via a joint venture with CB Green (part of Group CB), in Northern France. The joint venture partner will hold a 30% stake in the limestone grinding unit, with Ecocem taking the remaining 70%. These partnerships guarantee the raw materials needed to deliver ACT at scale.

Scaling the technology for global impact

The Dunkirk facility is just the start of a wider roll-out. With construction underway, Ecocem plans to expand ACT capacity in France to 1.9 million tonnes/year by 2030, reducing CO₂ emissions by 800,000 tonnes annually. Future plants will be located in Dunkirk and Fos-sur-Mer, with the Dunkirk plant configuration designed to allow it to expand in the longer term. The company is planning to take an investment decision on the expansion project in the course of 2026. Increased capacity should be operational before the end of the decade.

Ecocem has also commenced licensing of its ACT technology to external cement partners. In November 2024, a partnership was signed with Titan Group, active in Greece, Central Europe and North America to develop ACT formulations using natural pozzolanic materials. The partnership includes efforts to revise Greek concrete norms to allow innovations in low-carbon cement.

Beyond Europe, Ecocem is exploring ACT applications in India and Africa, where the technology offers a compelling value proposition: tripling cement output per kiln with minimal investment. This is especially attractive in high-growth markets with limited capital.

Lessons Learned and Scalable Strategies

Ecocem’s journey shows that long-term commitment to R&D can yield transformative results. Partnerships are key to accelerating adoption. Ecocem is also working with major contractors such as Bouygues Construction, Vinci Construction and Eiffage, who they have found to be more open to innovation than traditional cement producers.

The model is well-suited for Europe, where carbon pricing and regulation create a favourable environment. But Ecocem is open to expansion in multiple guises and would consider licensing to those who want to move fast.

Ultimately, Ecocem’s experience in Dunkirk shows that with innovation, the right partnerships and supportive policies, clean technologies can move rapidly from laboratory to market and can globally allow one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries to decarbonise on a trajectory compliant with 1.5°C of global warming.