New Zealand/South East Asia: Concrete additives producer Neocrete has raised US$3.5m in a funding round led by returning investor Wavemaker Ventures, with participation from Icehouse Ventures and Temasek Trust vehicle Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H). Neocrete’s fly ash and volcanic ash-based additive substitutes for up to 50% of cement, while maintaining the strength, durability and workability of the resulting concrete. The company will invest the new finances in continued deployment across South East Asia and a planned European and US expansion.

Neocrete is supplying 65,000m³ of its additives for use in concrete mixes in Readymix Brunei’s redevelopment of Muara Port, Brunei. Readymix Brunei participated in the original pilot of production of Neocrete’s additive using locally-available refuse ash. It has poured 3700m³ of ash-blended concrete to date, eliminating 215t (25%) of CO₂ emissions. The Muara Port redevelopment will avoid a further 5200t of CO₂ emissions through the use of the additive.

CO2 sustainability alternative raw materials US Europe fly ash New Zealand supplementary cementitious materials volcanic ash Brunei Darussalam Neocrete South East Asia