Concrete 4 Change

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Sid Pourfalah, Dr. Michael Wise, and Dalraj Nijjar, Concrete4Change (C4C) is a UK-based advanced materials company developing technology to decarbonise the concrete industry. The company has engineered a proprietary additive that sequesters captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and mineralises it within fresh concrete. This process creates a permanent carbon sink, preventing the CO2 from being released even after demolition, and results in concrete that is up to 20% stronger. The increased strength allows for a reduction in the required cement content, which is the primary source of emissions in concrete production.

The founders' backgrounds are central to the company's development. Dr. Sid Pourfalah, the CEO, is a chartered engineer with over two decades of experience in sustainable design, construction, and manufacturing, having previously established two other startups. Dr. Michael Wise, a chemical engineer, brings experience from the oil and gas industry and leadership roles in scaling up recycling technologies. Their combined expertise informed the creation of C4C's technology, which addresses the significant environmental impact of concrete, a sector responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions.

C4C's business model focuses on providing its CO2-loaded carrier material as a 'drop-in' additive for both ready-mix and pre-cast concrete producers. This approach requires no changes to existing concrete manufacturing processes or supply chains, a key selling point in a conservative industry. The technology utilizes CO2 from industrial flue gases, such as those from cement plants, and combines it with calcium-based waste materials, creating a circular economy model. The firm's clients are concrete and cement manufacturers and construction companies. C4C has established strategic partnerships and pilot projects with major industry players, including Goldbeck, Siam Cement Group (SCG), Cemex, and Hanson-Heidelberg.

The company has secured significant funding to scale its technology from laboratory trials to commercial deployment. As of January 2024, C4C had raised a total of £4.5 million, combining £1.5 million in grant funding with a £2.5 million seed round led by Zacua Ventures and Counteract. C4C has received numerous accolades, including the Most Innovative Net-Zero Project Award at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Keywords: concrete additive, carbon sequestration, CO2 mineralisation, decarbonisation, construction technology, greentech, cleantech, advanced materials, low-carbon concrete, cement reduction, net-zero construction, sustainable building materials, circular economy, CO2 utilisation, carbon capture, flue gas recycling, pre-cast concrete solutions, ready-mix concrete solutions, climate tech, construction innovation