Building a Greener Future, Together
With the introduction of new technology which will revolutionise the way we handle construction demolition materials (CDM), we’re closer to achieving circular construction and our mission to become the UK leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions.
Neustark, a Swiss-based cleantech startup supported by our parent company Holcim, is now helping us to enhance our circular construction initiatives with their novel approach to carbon capture and removal. Adopting this approach means a significant step on our journey to increase the use of recycled materials from 1.5m to 3m tonnes by 2025.
Advanced Carbon Capture and Storage
Neustark has developed a game-changing mineralisation technology that significantly accelerates the natural carbonation process of concrete. By capturing and storing biogenic CO2 in recycled concrete, this technology removes carbon emissions that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere, and ensures permanent storage, even if the material is reused.
It works by capturing CO2 from biomass sites, liquefying it and then injecting it into processed CDM to be used in concrete production, storing on average 10kg of CO2 per ton of demolished concrete. Remarkably, a neustark site can do in one hour what 50 trees can do in a year. This makes the technology incredibly efficient and effective in removing CO2 emissions.
A Big Boost for the Circular Economy
Our introduction of neustark technology is a significant win for both circularity and decarbonisation. Billions of tonnes of CDM are generated globally each year. By taking demolished concrete, one of the world's biggest waste streams, and transforming it into newly recycled concrete with CO2 locked in as a carbon sink, we are turbocharging the circular economy and making strides toward a zero emissions future.
An Important First for the UK
The first plant in the UK using the neustark process will be in London, chosen because it’s the country's building and infrastructure hub. The city is also recognised for iconic building projects and has the country’s largest urban mine, providing vast opportunities for recycling CDM. The introduction of neustark technology in the UK marks the beginning of a major scaling up of our carbon removal and mineralisation efforts.
A Landmark Collaboration
In 2023, neustark and Holcim entered into a landmark investment and strategic collaboration agreement to roll out neustark's technology to Holcim's recycling sites worldwide. This collaboration aims to build on Holcim's commitment to employing clean technologies for a net-zero future, focusing on carbon capture, storage and utilisation, alongside carbon dioxide removal.
“This takes the battle to reduce carbon emissions to the next level through carbonation. The technology is available now and works - it can make a difference now not in five years time.
“We have London - as one of the world’s largest urban mines - with direct access to demolished concrete from building projects and we have the neustark technology. Together we can remove carbon from the atmosphere and permanently lock it into recycled concrete which can then go on to be used again in new building projects."
“This is testament that a partnership between a cleantech scale-up and a global leader in building solutions can create tangible climate impact, today.
“One million tonnes of CO₂ durably removed from the atmosphere in 2030 – that’s our ambition. We’re already well under way towards the megaton goal. Our strategic partnership with Holcim represents a significant part of this roadmap. It will be a true catalyst to further scale up the permanent carbon removal impact that we generate in the next few years.”
About Neustark
Since launching its technology in 2021, Neustark has removed over 2,500 tonnes of CO2 permanently, with an ambitious goal to remove one million tonnes by 2030. As of November 2024, they operate 19 capture and storage sites in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland and plan to expand to 25 new sites across Europe in 2024, including the UK.
Neustark works with source partners, such as biogas plants, and storage partners, including concrete recyclers, located in close proximity to each other to ensure the capture, transport and storage of CO2 is as efficient and sustainable as possible.
By integrating neustark's innovative technology, we are taking a significant step towards a sustainable future, leveraging the power of circularity and decarbonisation to meet, then exceed, our climate goals. This partnership represents a big win for us, our partners, our clients and, most importantly, the planet.
