UK: Holcim UK has demonstrated a new low CO₂ cement formulation made from recycled concrete fines (RCF) in a cross-industry trial funded by Innovate UK and led by the Materials Processing Institute (MPI). Beginning in September 2024 and concluding in December 2025, the project brings together industry bodies, engineers and researchers to develop an RCF-based cement as a lower-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement. The producer poured a demonstrative batch of ready-mix concrete using the new formulation at its Whetstone plant in Leicestershire. The concrete used CEM II cement, with RCF replacing 20% of clinker without compromising production feasibility. The cement will undergo further testing and certification before it can be written into the revised British Standards for concrete in 2027. Holcim said that plans are already in place to source RCF from its waste management partner, and the waste stream will be put back into production at its new cement plant in Tilbury, expected to be operational from late 2026.
Holcim UK trials low carbon cement made from recycled concrete fines
