Ecocem, a leading European provider of low-carbon cement technologies, has welcomed the publication of the new European Assessment Document (EAD) on blended cements.
A major milestone for the commercialisation of low-carbon cements in Europe, the EAD provides regulatory clarity, confirming that Ecocem’s breakthrough ACT technology meets recognised technical requirements for the European construction market. This enables Ecocem and other providers of low-carbon cement technologies to pursue the European Technical Assessment (ETA) route and obtain CE marking, thereby bringing these innovative technologies to market.
ACT is Ecocem’s breakthrough low-carbon cement technology, developed over more than a decade of research and demonstrated to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70% on a globally scalable basis compared to traditional European cements. The Company is currently constructing the first production line for ACT at its new €50 million facility in Dunkirk, France, and plans to begin commercial operation in late 2026. This is part of a wider €220 million investment programme to significantly expand the Company’s low-carbon cement production facilities by 2030.
Commenting on the milestone, Ecocem’s founder and Managing Director Donal O’Riain said: “The publication of this EAD is a major milestone for Ecocem, our ACT technology and for the wider cement and construction industries. It means that the performance, durability and safety criteria for this technology are now formally defined under a recognised European regulatory route.
“With this milestone achieved, we are accelerating the commercial rollout of ACT in Europe and forging the pathway for global deployment, including in developing countries where low-carbon cement solutions are urgently required.
Developed by the European Organisation for Technical Assessment (EOTA), the EAD is a harmonised technical specification that formally defines the rules, methods, and criteria for assessing the performance of blended cements in Europe. This EAD 150080-00-301 on blended cements with high filler content, ground granulated blast-furnace slag or pozzolanic material or both, and clinker has been cited in the Official Journal of the European Union. Ecocem obtained ETA 23-0877, issued by Cerema in December 2023, which now allows the Company to submit its CE marking application to bring its ACT technology to market.
Ecocem will continue to work closely with national authorities and standards bodies to secure the inclusion of ACT in the National Annexes of concrete standards in targeted European markets. This new EAD establishes a robust and recognised technical foundation that will significantly facilitate market acceptance.
