Betolar

Cement production is one of the greatest emission sources caused by human activity, accounting for roughly 7 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions annually. With Betolar’s solution, concrete manufacturers can replace cement with a product utilising industrial side streams. In addition to emission reductions, this will help solve the global waste problem and reduce the consumption of virgin natural resources.

The innovation in Betolar’s solution lies in making these cement-replacing side streams, other raw materials and the recipes for combining them available on a digital platform. The platform facilitates the efficient identification of potential binding agents from side streams and the creation of the recipes utilising them.

The Climate Fund’s investment decisions are guided by a three-tiered set of criteria. The preconditions for funding are a credible plan for at least self-sustainable business, verifiable added value from the state’s contribution to the project’s overall funding, and alignment with the six environmental objectives of the EU’s sustainable investment network, i.e. the “do no significant harm” principle.  Other aspects in the investment decision include emission reductions and other impact, such as business potential.

The company is aiming to achieve cumulative carbon dioxide emission reductions of up to 150 million tonnes by 2030. Without the data and AI platform, the maximum cumulative emission reductions achievable by the industry in the same period would be a fraction compared to with the platform. Achieving this goal depends among others on the company’s success in developing and commercialising its platform, as well as the successful implementation of its business and R&D plans.

The significant emission reduction potential of Betolar’s solution is based on replacing virgin raw materials with existing industrial side streams, which could reduce emissions caused by the raw materials of concrete by up to 80 per cent compared to traditional concrete products. Betolar’s binding agent uses side streams from, for example the metal, mining and energy industries, along with chemical activators specifically tailored to each side stream.

The Climate Fund’s seven-million-euro capital loan will be allocated to the development of Betolar’s digital platform and the services built upon it. The digital platform enables business scalability and more efficient utilisation of side streams acting as raw materials for cement, which creates conditions for significant emissions reductions.  The loan will be withdrawn in three instalments based on the achievement of milestones in the platform’s development and commercialisation. The Climate Fund’s capital loan is priced at the market rate listed in the EU reference interest rate table and includes an interest rate premium.

Updated 31st May 2023