CONCERTO

Context

The CONCERTO project (https://concerto-eic.eu)  addresses the severe climate impact of traditional Portland cement, whose production accounts for over 7% of global CO₂ emissions due to limestone calcination and high-temperature, fossil-fuel-dependent processes. CONCERTO develops a groundbreaking, low-carbon alternative: a hydraulic binder based on magnesium-silicate (silico-magnesian) minerals extracted from ultramafic rocks. This innovative manufacturing process completely eliminates the CO₂ emissions associated with limestone calcination. Furthermore, the process has the potential to become fully electrified. When produced with decarbonized energy, this novel cement can achieve a net-negative carbon footprint through carbonation, paving the way for truly sustainable construction alternatives.

Objectives

Within the project, the Paris-Saclay Laboratory of Mechanics (LMPS) leads vital research aiming to:

• Investigate and optimize the activation mechanisms of silico-magnesian raw materials to ensure scalable and cost-effective cement production.

• Study the hydration mechanisms with various additives to enhance the overall performance, fresh-state rheology, strength development, and long-term durability of the new cement.

• Explore the application of this binder in end-use products such as mortars, non-structural precast concrete elements, radioactive waste storage, and 3D printing.

Workpackages

The CONCERTO project is structured into seven interconnected workpackages (WPs) that span the entire product development chain:

• WP1 & WP2: Management & Coordination (led by CNRS) and Portfolio Activities (BIBM).

• WP3: Dissemination, Communication & Valorization (CNRS Innovation).

• WP4: Cement Manufacturing (led by LMPS and LPS).

• WP5: Hydration Activation (led by LPS and LMPS).

• WP6: Admixtures for Mortars and Concretes (SIKA France).

• WP7: Precast Applications (MABA).

  Within this structure, LMPS plays a pivotal scientific role by co-leading the core research packages dedicated to optimizing cement manufacturing (WP4) and mastering hydration processes (WP5).

Partners

To achieve its decarbonization goals, CONCERTO brings together a highly specialized, multidisciplinary European consortium coordinated by CNRS. In addition to CNRS (via the LMPS and LPS laboratories) and CNRS Innovation (France), the project unites major industrial and institutional players in the construction sector: the Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry (BIBM - Belgium), SIKA France, MC Prefabricati (Italy), and MABA Fertigteileindustrie (Austria).

Means

The CONCERTO project gathers a leading consortium of European partners. It has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the highly selective European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder scheme (Grant Agreement No 101223335, 'Towards cement and concrete as a carbon sink'). At LMPS, the project and research efforts are spearheaded by Mohend Chaouche, CNRS Research Director.