Concretene secures £3M investment to market its graphene-enhanced concrete, reducing carbon emissions in construction. This funding boosts their innovative admixture development, aiding in the decarbonisation of the construction industry.
Manchester-based nanotechnology firm Concretene secures £3M investment to bring its graphene-enhanced concrete admixture to market, a revolutionary solution aimed at reducing carbon emissions in construction. Molten Ventures led the venture capital funding round, with additional backing from LocalGlobe, which previously supported Concretene in building its core team.
Concretene’s £3M funding paving the way for green construction
Concretene’s carbon-saving technology comes at a time when industries are urgently seeking sustainable solutions to reduce environmental impact. Construction, known for its heavy carbon footprint, is now turning to innovations like graphene-enhanced materials to meet global climate targets.
The new funding will accelerate Concretene’s development of its graphene-enhanced concrete admixture, designed to cut concrete’s carbon footprint by improving its strength and reducing the need for cement. Cement production is responsible for nearly 85% of concrete’s CO2 emissions, so this advancement could transform how the construction industry tackles sustainability.
Mike Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at Concretene, expressed his excitement over the investment. “We’re delighted to welcome Molten Ventures to join with us and LocalGlobe on our mission to decarbonise concrete. We also want to thank LocalGlobe for their enthusiasm and support in getting Concretene off the ground.”
As one of the world’s hardest-to-abate sectors, the construction industry has been grappling with high emissions for years. Concretene’s graphene-based admixture offers a solution that doesn’t require any new equipment or training at the batching plant, making it a practical and scalable option for companies looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Scaling up the nanomaterial advantage
Concretene’s journey began in Manchester, home to the groundbreaking discovery of graphene 20 years ago. Founded by civil engineers Rob Hibberd and Alex McDermott, the company worked alongside the University of Manchester’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) to develop the initial prototype. Early tests revealed an impressive 25-30% increase in compressive strength in lab settings, while field trials saw a 17% improvement, leading to a 10-15% reduction in CO2 emissions from concrete production.
With this new investment, the company plans to scale up production, particularly in collaboration with pre-cast manufacturer Roger Bullivant and global cement giant Cemex. This work is further supported by £1.2M in grant funding from Innovate UK, which was secured in 2023.
Investors see a bright future for graphene-enhanced concrete
Concretene’s ability to combine construction expertise with nanomaterial science has caught the attention of investors, who are keen to back this promising technology.
George Chalmers, Head of Climate at Molten Ventures, praised the company’s progress, stating, “Concretene has made tremendous strides in getting its technology out of the lab and into meaningful real-world projects and applications. Its solution, viable today, is poised to make a meaningful impact in reducing emissions in one of the hardest-to-abate sectors. We are delighted to support Concretene’s world-class team of scientists and operators in scaling its solution across the industry.”
This funding will also enable Concretene to further its collaboration with engineering consultancy Arup, which is providing expertise in testing and standardising the product for commercial use. Arup’s concrete materials lead, Dr Fragkoulis Kanavaris, said, “We’ve seen the strengthening of Concretene’s technical team on data analysis, nanomaterials in concrete and graphene formulations. As a result, we’re increasingly confident in Concretene’s ability to expedite the technology and we’re now working in close collaboration on consistency of mixes and formulations towards standardisation.”
Forging a greener future with Concretene’s innovative technology
The potential impact of Concretene’s graphene-enhanced admixture extends beyond its immediate carbon savings. Graphene improves the microstructure of concrete, refining its pore size and boosting both its durability and resistance to water and salts, which could lead to long-term savings in materials and repairs.
This innovative approach is a perfect fit for Manchester’s newly branded £1.7B innovation district, where Concretene is the first tenant. The district, known as ‘Sister,’ was recently launched by Mayor Andy Burnham and aims to position Manchester as a leader in tech and sustainability.
Concretene’s vision is not just about building stronger, more durable concrete—it’s about building a more sustainable future. As the company moves forward, it aims to continue proving that the smallest material, graphene, could make the biggest difference in global construction practices.
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