Holcim Launches CaptureLab in France to Test and Scale Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies for Cement Production

Holcim Launches CaptureLab in France to Test and Scale Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies for Cement Production

(IN BRIEF) Holcim has launched CaptureLab, an industrial-scale carbon capture test platform at its Martres-Tolosane cement plant in France, to support the development and validation of advanced carbon capture technologies for cement manufacturing. Developed by Holcim R&D teams in Switzerland and France, the 2,500 m² platform can process real-world cement plant emissions containing nitrogen, oxygen, CO₂, water and trace impurities. Its plug-and-play design allows different carbon capture systems to be connected and tested under industrial conditions, giving Holcim and external partners such as manufacturers, startups and researchers a practical route to evaluate and scale breakthrough technologies. The platform can support technologies including cryogenic treatment, chemical absorption, physical adsorption, membrane separation and biological processes. Holcim is launching the platform with a first pilot project conducted by Air Liquide, while the company operates the facility. CaptureLab is intended to support Holcim’s decarbonisation roadmap, help advance near-zero cement production and strengthen innovation in sustainable construction.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZUG, 10-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Holcim has launched CaptureLab, an industrial-scale carbon capture test platform in Martres-Tolosane, France, designed to support the testing, validation and scale-up of advanced carbon capture technologies for cement manufacturing.

The platform is described as the first of its kind in the sector and has been developed by Holcim R&D teams in Switzerland and France. It is intended to give Holcim and external partners, including manufacturers, startups and researchers, a practical environment where emerging carbon capture systems can be tested under real industrial conditions.

Located at Holcim’s Martres-Tolosane cement plant, the 2,500 m² facility can analyse and process emissions from cement production. These emissions mainly include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water and trace impurities. The platform’s plug-and-play design allows different carbon capture systems to be connected to the plant and assessed in a field environment that reflects the conditions they would face in commercial cement operations.

CaptureLab has been created around an open innovation model, allowing third-party technology developers to test and refine carbon capture solutions more easily. The platform can support a range of current and next-generation capture technologies, including cryogenic treatment, chemical absorption, physical adsorption, membrane separation and biological processes.

Ram Muthu, Head of Group Operational Excellence at Holcim, said CaptureLab gives the company a unique facility to test and scale advanced carbon capture technologies through an agile partnership-based model. He said validated technologies will be used at Holcim sites and will support the company’s decarbonisation roadmap, including the development of near-zero cement.

The launch of CaptureLab begins with a first pilot project in partnership with Air Liquide, a company active in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Holcim is operating the platform while Air Liquide conducts the initial pilot project.

By creating a dedicated industrial test environment, Holcim aims to reduce barriers to carbon capture innovation and help promising technologies move from laboratory or pilot concepts toward deployment in cement production. The company sees carbon capture as an important part of its efforts to decarbonise cement manufacturing and support more sustainable construction.

About Holcim

Holcim (SIX: HOLN) is the leading partner for sustainable construction with net sales of CHF 15.7 billion in 2025, creating value across the built environment from infrastructure and industry to buildings. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Holcim has more than 45 000 employees in 43 attractive markets – across Europe, Latin America and Asia, Middle East & Africa – and has been recognized as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute. Holcim offers high-value end-to-end Building Materials and Building Solutions, from foundations and flooring to walling and roofing – powered by premium brands including ECOPact, ECOPlanet and ECOCycle.

Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com, and by following us on LinkedIn.

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Important disclaimer – forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to the risks described in the Holcim’s annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to the market conditions and the implementation of our plans. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE: Holcim