Open Call – EIC GHG Co-creation with Holcim: Building a net-zero future for people and the planet

To create valuable opportunities for our EIC beneficiaries, within the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Programme, the European Innovation Council offers co-creation initiatives to develop key partnerships. That’s why the EIC and its business partner Holcim are inviting you to apply to our joint EIC GHG Co-creation initiative that intends to bring innovative and sustainable solutions into day-to-day operations that help people and the planet.

Holcim is among the first companies worldwide to have its near- and long-term CO2 targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for all scopes. Thus, with its net-zero climate pledge, setting the reference for the industry. Intending to reinvent how the world builds for people and the planet, the company is accelerating their reduction in CO2 intensity to exceed 20% until 2030; establishing the first climate targets for a 1.5°C future in the cement sector; and committing to long term targets for the full scope of Holcim’s emissions by 2050.

Holcim is divided into four business segments: 1) Cement, 2) Ready-Mix Concrete, 3) Aggregates and 4) Solutions & Products. Also, part of their objectives is driving the circular economy as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. Moreover, they are behind some of the world’s most trusted brands in the building sector including ACC, Aggregate Industries, Ambuja Cement, Disensa, Firestone Building Products, Geocycle, Holcim and Lafarge.

So, save the date: this co-creation journey with Holcim kicks off with an event on 8 and 9 June 2022. You can find more info about the co-creation process and timeline below.

Let us know why you’re the right co-creator here and join this collaborative journey.

Deadline for applications has been extended until 13 April 2022.

Why should you join the EIC GHG Co-creation initiative? 

• Explore how your solutions and capabilities can be sustainable
• Network and collaborate with Holcim, and like-minded innovators 
• Build a roadmap of market entry with Holcim 
• Closely work with partners on solutions that can best fit the market 
• Find potential partners and customers in the industry
• Get access to experts from the EIC

Your co-creation journey

The EIC GHG Co-creation with Holcim will be an entirely virtual service following the co-creation journey below. 

Step 1: Applications and info webinar 

To apply to the EIC GHG Co-creation with Holcim, you are invited to fill out the application form available here by 13 April 2022 (extended deadline). 

During the application process, an info webinar (21 March 2022, from 10:00 to 11:00 CET) will be organised to provide more information about the co-creation initiative, the application requirements, and challenges. If you would like to attend this info webinar, make sure to register here. In addition, you can check the agenda of the info webinar here.

*Please note that your registration to the info webinar does not imply that you will be selected for the co-creation initiative with Holcim. 

Step 2: Selection process 

As soon as we close the submission process, your application will be shared with Holcim. Then, we'll proceed with the evaluation and selection of the final list of participants. You'll be contacted once the selection process is completed. Also, please note that any feedback or recommendation to the companies that were not selected won't be foreseen.

Step 3: Co-creation training – 30th May I Save the date! 

Successful and confirmed participants will be invited to join a co-creation training in which you will be briefed into more detail about the co-creation process and encouraged to undergo pitching training to prepare your pitches for the kick-off.

Step 4: Co-creation kick-off event – 8th & 9th of June | Save the date! 

After the selection process, a two-day ideation event with Holcim will take place on 8 and 9 June 2022. It will help you better understand the challenges and start co-developing your solutions with the business partner. During this meeting, you'll also have the chance to define a clear roadmap with your next steps.

Step 5: Iteration & development 

You'll have four months to implement the roadmap defined with Holcim and can validate it regularly to ensure you are steering in the right direction. The business facilitators and experts will provide you with the necessary support along the way. 

Step 6: GHG Summit | Autumn 2022

The GHG Summit will be a way of showcasing success stories developed in close collaboration among business partners and EIC beneficiaries.

Challenges

Respecting the company’s net-zero climate pledge and its journey towards sustainability, the corporate is exploring new technologies that can ensure the green transition across the construction sector. More specifically, Holcim is looking for solutions for the following areas:

Challenge 1 – Resource-saving cements - Circular business model for cements

Sub-challenge 1.1 – Upcycling construction demolition waste (CDW) to high-quality cements 

• Technologies to activate fines from recycled concrete, to turn fillers into reactive mineral components for usage in high-performance cement.

Sub-challenge 1.2 – Reducing cement carbon footprint of cement with circular models 

• Technologies to capture CO2 in construction demolition waste and conventional mineral components (slag, fly ash, natural pozzolans).

Challenge 2 – Decarbonisation of cement manufacturing process

Sub-challenge 2.1 – Technologies for decarbonisation of cement manufacturing process 

• Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) or during clinker manufacture by oxyfuel or other integrated solutions as well as treatment of 15-20 vol% CO2 containing exhaust gases without prior capturing.

Sub-challenge 2.2 – New drying technologies 

• New approaches to dry with less or no heat would represent a step-change in cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness (e.g.: Vortex or Coomtech).

Challenge 3 – Waste management solutions: Geocycle

Treatments for the beneficiation of industrial and municipal mineral wastes to make them usable as raw materials to produce Portland clinker.

Challenge 4 – Ready-mix - Green concrete acceleration

Sub-challenge 4.1 – Technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete 

• We are looking for new materials and technologies that support the decarbonization of ready-mix concrete mixtures while maintaining performance.

Sub-challenge 4.2 – Tools to assist architects and engineers to design low carbon projects 

• Automation to convert existing BIM catalogues files to low carbon alternatives.

Sub-challenge 4.3 – Monitor of durability performance/end of life recycling

• Construction sites using digital technology to measure e.g., temperature, humidity, pH, structural resilience, durability and traceability of concrete for future recycling.

Sub-challenge 4.4 – Circular economy technologies

• We are looking for treatments for recycled aggregates to improve mechanical performance and durability.

Sub-challenge 4.5 – Tools to estimate remaining life of concrete

• We are looking for ways of predicting the remaining life of concrete structures using embedded monitoring systems that could be used for the future.

Challenge 5 – Recycled aggregates: recovering better quality recycled aggregate

Construction & demolition waste processing technologies; Economical and feasible treatments to recycled aggregates; Identifying alternative industrial waste sources.

Challenge 6 – Sustainable transportation for construction materials (logistics)

We aim at solutions for transporting bulk construction materials by reducing the current emissions.

Challenge 7 – Green roofing solutions - (Firestone Building Products): Technologies for the use of wind, sun and rain in roofing systems 

Implementation of wind turbines and solar panels technology; economical and feasible treatments to recycled aggregates; technologies to use the heat coming from the roof; rainwater retention.

Challenge 8 – Carbon efficient precast/prefabricated solutions

Innovative precast concrete or off-site construction solutions aiming at reducing carbon emissions.

About the EIC Business Acceleration Services   

This opportunity is brought to you by the EIC Business Acceleration Services. To explore other opportunities to connect with the largest corporates in Europe, keep an eye on our events page.    

About the EIC GHG Programme   

With the EIC GHG programme, part of the Business Acceleration Services, the EIC offers its beneficiaries a dedicated GHG tool, the GHG Badges & CO2 Neutral Label initiative, and further resources.

In addition, co-creation activities with corporates, industrial associations, regions in carbon transition and other EIC beneficiaries are taking place on a regular basis.

Discover the EIC GHG Badges feature!

Your journey towards carbon neutrality has a new addition. As part of the EIC GHG Programme, we’ve added the complementary GHG badges & label feature to help you show off your green progress, which you can share with your clients and community.  

Need help?   

For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk (please choose ‘EIC GHG: Co-creation with Holcim’ as the subject).

Cancellation policy

Cancellations will only be considered in duly documented cases of "force majeure". Unjustified cancellation can lead to exclusion in future Business Acceleration Services events.

Should you have any questions regarding the event or your eligibility, please contact us through our contact page (please choose ‘EIC GHG: Co-creation with Holcim’ as the subject).