Through the development of a new generation of products, Calucem continues to improve the environmental production standards

Objectives of the project are to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the Calucem plant through the development of a new generation of products, research and develop an effective technological solution minimizing the impact on the environment, increase and further intensify the research and development of activities of Calucem, increase the cooperation between Calucem and the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University in Zagreb, ie between the private and scientific research sectors.

Calucem with it’s cement factory in Pula, is the world’s leading producer of calcium aluminate cement. Calucem has invested and will continue to invest in its own research and development activities, which enabled Calucem to remain a leading producer of high-quality calcium aluminate cement for decades.

Calucem recently received EU support by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development from the European Regional Development Fund in recognition of Calucem’s request for its’ proposal to the Call “Increase the development of new products and services arising from research and development activities – phase II”, and formally launched the project “Development of a new innovative ECO₂Flex product”, KK.01.2.1.02.0047.

The project was initiated on August 1, 2020, and the implementation will last 3 years. Total amount of the project is HRK 34.926.624,69, total amount of grant is HRK 14.900.633,24.

Improved production process

ECO₂Flex project was launched in cooperation with the Faculty of Civil Engineering,  University of Zagreb, and it will contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint of the cement industry thanks to its two-sided approach:

1. ECO₂Flex solution is based on an innovative product as well as its improved production process, both reducing the overall CO₂ emissions and the carbon footprint for Calucem and their customers.
2. The final product is an innovative Calcium Aluminate Cement (CAC) that will allow a reduction of around 30% CO₂ emissions compared to similar CAC available on the market.

Objectives of the project are to:
– Significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the Calucem d.o.o. plant through the development of a new generation of products.
– Research and Develop an effective technological solution minimizing the impact on the environment.
– Increase and further intensify the Research and Development of activities of Calucem.
– Increase the cooperation between Calucem and the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University in Zagreb, ie between the private and scientific research sectors.

The successful implementation of the project will bring multiple benefits to Calucem but also to the local economy, global customers and the local community.

Statement Yuri Bouwhuis, President and CEO of the Calucem Group:

“We are very proud to have received the recognition of our efforts by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, Hamag-Bicro and the EU to contribute to the reduction of CO₂, in which we are the first in the industry, to make and claim such significant improvements in CO₂ in both our products as well as the process, benefitting all stakeholders, but in particular our customers and the environment.”

Innovations leads to environmental protection

Statement Dr. Günther Walenta, CTO and R&D director of the Calucem Group:

”Environmental innovations are key elements within our innovation strategy, assuring future business successes of the Calucem Group. These ambitions are strongly honored by the trust and financial support of the European Union together with the Croatian government who decided to fund this low CO₂ emission project named ECO₂Flex for the next 3 years. This project perfectly unifies the scientific competences from the University of Zagreb with the excellent fundamental production experience of our plant in Pula with high level technical support of our German Applied Technology team.”

*The content of this article is the sole responsibility of Calucem d.o.o.