A prospective University of Strathclyde spinout is developing a process that turns low-value mineral waste into carbon-negative construction materials that can replace parts of cement
The approach could help cut emissions from cement production while permanently storing captured carbon dioxide (CO2).
Founded by scientist Dr Philip Salter, the Ureaka project is combining circular chemistry with mineral processing to create supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) from waste streams. These materials are designed to be used alongside traditional cement in concrete, reducing the amount of cement required without changing existing manufacturing processes.
Supported by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) Spin Out Fund, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Strathclyde, the project is now moving from laboratory research towards commercial application, including factory-scale modelling and plans for product testing and validation.
Cement and concrete’s role in rising carbon emissions
Cement and concrete production account for around 8% of global CO2 emissions due to the energy-intensive nature of manufacturing and the underlying chemical reactions involved, making decarbonisation particularly challenging for the sector.
Against this backdrop, Ureaka is focusing on converting waste mineral streams, including demolished concrete, into new cement replacement materials.
Dr Philip Salter explained: “Cement is one of the hardest industries to decarbonise because, even if you electrify production, a large share of emissions still comes from the chemical reactions involved.
“Ureaka is taking a fundamentally different approach: starting with the mineral value already present in waste concrete, reacting it with captured CO2, and turning it into a cement-replacement material that can work within existing supply chains.”
Reducing carbon footprints without changing operations
The process recovers useful elements such as calcium and silica and uses captured CO2 to form stable carbonate minerals, locking the carbon into a solid form.
The resulting SCM is designed as a drop-in powder that can be added to standard concrete mixes, allowing manufacturers to reduce their use of traditional cement without changing existing production methods.
By using waste materials instead of virgin raw materials, Ureaka also aims to offer a lower-cost route to more sustainable construction inputs.
“A key priority for us has been ensuring the process can plug into existing manufacturing systems. The supplementary cementitious material we’re developing is designed to work with current concrete production methods, so manufacturers don’t need to change how they operate, but can still reduce the carbon footprint of their products,” Salter said.
The company’s earlier work in biocementation suggests further potential applications, including strengthening soil for construction projects and repairing existing concrete structures through mineral formation.
Commercialising carbon-negative construction materials
Looking ahead, Ureaka is now focused on progressing its carbon-negative SCM towards commercialisation.
The IBioIC-supported project has helped advance the technology from lab-scale experiments to factory-scale modelling and early-stage product validation.
The company is now seeking additional grant funding and preparing for a seed investment round to support team growth and further development. It is also planning third-party testing of its material in a live manufacturing environment – a significant step towards market readiness.
Caroline Kewney, senior impact manager at IBioIC, added: “Construction materials are a significant contributor to global emissions, so there is a clear need for scalable alternatives that can support decarbonisation across the sector.
“This project demonstrates how industrial biotechnology can turn waste streams into valuable new materials, while also supporting carbon capture and more circular approaches to manufacturing. We’re excited to see what’s next for Ureaka as it progresses towards commercialisation.”
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