CILANTRO Partners with EIC Portfolio Projects to Target Net-Zero Construction

The CILANTRO project recently participated in the kick-off meeting for the ‘Cement and Concrete as a Carbon Sink’ portfolio in Brussels. This initiative, supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC), brings together six pioneering projects with a shared mission: to transform the construction sector into a climate-positive asset.

Building Scientific Synergies

The Brussels meeting highlighted that while each project within the portfolio follows a distinct scientific approach, the primary goal is to seek synergies that contribute to global decarbonisation.

CILANTRO plays a unique role in this ecosystem with its focus on chemical-led solutions, specifically using ambient-temperature mechanical processes. By collaborating with projects exploring different physical and thermal methods, we are creating a comprehensive framework for the industry. This is a mutually beneficial partnership; while CILANTRO learns from the diverse expertise of its five sister projects, we also provide valuable scientific knowledge to the portfolio, particularly through our work in building the innovative triboreactor!

Key Outcomes and Working Groups

To ensure the research moves from the laboratory to real-world application, the portfolio has established four dedicated Working Groups (WGs):

• Technology & Innovation: Sharing data on mineral processing and material stability.
• Regulation & Standards: Working with policymakers to ensure new low-carbon materials meet safety and building codes.
• Exploitation: Mapping the market to help the technology reach the industry faster.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Measuring the total environmental impact of these new processes.

We are pleased to announce that a CILANTRO partner from CTTI has been elected to lead the LCA Working Group for the first year. This role is vital, as it defines the standards for how we measure carbon negativity across the entire portfolio.

Next Steps

The collaboration is now moving into its operational phase. The Working Group leaders will organise monthly coordination meetings to align research agendas and reinforce collaboration. For CILANTRO, this represents a significant opportunity to exchange technical insights with our sister projects, ensuring that our collective efforts provide a robust industrial blueprint for a decarbonised Europe.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.