Saint-Gobain’s Commitment to Sustainability: Advancing Low-Carbon Cement Technologies

Saint-Gobain’s Commitment to Sustainability: Advancing Low-Carbon Cement Technologies

(IN BRIEF) Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals is ramping up efforts to advance low-carbon cement and concrete technologies, aiming to foster growth and sustainability in the construction sector. Key partnerships with startups like Fortera and established players like Ecocem demonstrate the company’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and innovating in construction materials. These initiatives align with Saint-Gobain’s strategy to lead in sustainable construction solutions while driving profitable growth.

(PRESS RELEASE) COURBEVOIE, 14-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals is intensifying its efforts to introduce innovative additives for low-carbon cement and concrete. These advancements present significant opportunities for collaborative development with new partners in rapidly expanding markets, propelling Saint-Gobain’s sustainable growth in construction chemicals.

This strategic initiative is exemplified by two key partnerships:

1. Supporting Fortera: Saint-Gobain has contributed to the fundraising efforts of Fortera, a pioneering startup that has devised a method for producing low-carbon cement by recycling CO2 emissions generated during production. With cement manufacturing currently contributing about 8% to the world’s annual CO2 emissions, Saint-Gobain’s investment in Fortera, facilitated through NOVA, its venture capital arm, underscores its commitment to advancing technologies that mitigate CO2 emissions at the source. Fortera’s innovative ReCarb™ process seamlessly integrates with existing cement plants, harnessing their limestone resources to mineralize CO2 and slash direct carbon emissions by an impressive 70%. This breakthrough lays the groundwork for achieving net zero carbon cement production (scope 1 and 2) when coupled with renewable energy sources.
2. Backing Ecocem: Saint-Gobain also stands as a shareholder in Ecocem, the leading European innovator in low-carbon cement technologies, bolstering its efforts to develop and market new cement solutions for widespread adoption. Ecocem’s revolutionary ACT technology, compatible with all supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), has recently secured a European Technical Assessment. According to published environmental product declarations, the carbon footprint* of Ecocem’s ACT product stands at a remarkable 70% lower than that of an average CEM II cement sold within the European market.

These initiatives align seamlessly with Saint-Gobain’s “Grow & Impact” strategy, which aims to reinforce the Group’s industry leadership while expediting its expansion through the introduction of sustainable and lightweight construction solutions.

* Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) indicator “total Global Warming Potential” (GWP) assessed from cradle to gate – based on the following published 3rd party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD): https://cembureau.eu/media/f2ubx2lk/epd-for-cement-cem-ii.pdf;
https://www.mrpi.nl/epd-files/epd/1.1.00486.2023_MRPI-EPD_ACT%201%20_FINAL.pdf

ABOUT SAINT-GOBAIN

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries
Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on X @saintgobain

ANALYSTS, INVESTOR CONTACTS

Vivien Dardel (+33) 1 88 54 29 77
Floriana Michalowska (+33) 1 88 54 19 09
Alix Sicaud (+33) 1 88 54 38 70
James Weston(+33) 1 88 54 01 24

MEDIA CONTACTS

Patricia Marie (+33) 1 88 54 26 83
Laure Bencheikh (+33) 1 88 54 26 38

SOURCE: Saint-Gobain