Kilsaran Joins Industry-Leading Consortium to Advance Low-Carbon Cement Innovation in Ireland
At Kilsaran, innovation and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to announce that, alongside Cairn, University College Dublin (UCD), and Ecocem, we have secured €50,000 in funding from Construct Innovate, Ireland’s national Construction Technology Centre, to support a pioneering low-carbon cement project that has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the Irish construction sector.
This exciting initiative marks another important milestone in the industry’s journey towards more sustainable building practices and demonstrates the power of collaboration in accelerating meaningful environmental change.
Driving the Future of Sustainable Construction
The project, titled “Evidence and Demonstration for the Adoption of New Low-Carbon Cement Technologies in the Irish Market,” will focus on validating Ecocem’s innovative ACT technology—a breakthrough low-carbon cement solution that can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared to traditional cement.
With cement production currently accounting for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions, the development and adoption of lower-carbon alternatives is critical if the construction industry is to meet its sustainability and decarbonisation targets.
By bringing together the expertise of industry leaders and academia, this project aims to demonstrate that significant carbon reductions can be achieved without compromising on performance, quality, or scalability.
A First for Ireland
A key element of the initiative will be a full-scale demonstration project using ACT technology, alongside an independent technical assessment conducted by researchers at UCD.
This demonstrator will showcase an ultra-low-carbon binder in an Irish construction setting at scale for the first time, providing valuable evidence of the technology’s performance under real-world conditions.
The findings will deliver significant benefits across the consortium:
- Cairn will gain proof of buildability and measurable carbon reduction outcomes.
- Ecocem will receive independent validation of its ACT technology.
- Kilsaran will explore opportunities to introduce new low-carbon product streams to the Irish market.
- UCD will contribute world-class research expertise in material durability and performance testing.
Together, the project will help position Ireland as a leader in sustainable construction innovation.
Supporting Ireland’s Decarbonisation Goals
As Ireland’s leading independent manufacturer of construction materials, Kilsaran recognises the important role the industry must play in reducing environmental impact while continuing to deliver the infrastructure and housing needed to support the country’s future growth.
Speaking about the project, Keith Goodwin, Associate Director at Kilsaran, said:
“This project represents an exciting time in the Irish construction industry. While there are a variety of low-carbon concrete technologies in various stages of development, the introduction of ACT technology on the ground in Ireland in the short term is a significant progression towards the carbon reduction goals of the sector.”
The initiative aligns closely with our ongoing commitment to exploring innovative materials, technologies, and production methods that can support a more sustainable built environment.
About ACT Technology
Developed by Ecocem following more than a decade of research and innovation, ACT is a next-generation cement technology designed to dramatically reduce embodied carbon in construction.
The technology has already been successfully deployed in markets including the UK and France, demonstrating its ability to deliver substantial carbon savings while maintaining the performance standards required by modern construction projects.
Ecocem is currently investing heavily in the rollout of ACT technology, including the construction of its first dedicated production line at a new €50 million facility in Dunkirk, France, which is expected to begin commercial operations in late 2026. This forms part of a wider €220 million investment programme aimed at significantly expanding low-carbon cement production capacity by 2030.
The Power of Collaboration
One of the most significant aspects of this project is the strong partnership between industry and academia. By combining practical construction expertise, innovative manufacturing capabilities, scientific research, and advanced cement technology, the consortium is creating a robust framework for the adoption of lower-carbon solutions across the Irish market.
Collaboration of this kind is essential if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets and accelerate the transition towards greener construction practices.
Looking Ahead
The funding awarded by Construct Innovate is an important step forward in validating an innovative solution that could help transform how cement is produced and used in Ireland.
At Kilsaran, we are delighted to be part of this groundbreaking project and look forward to working alongside Cairn, UCD, and Ecocem to advance sustainable construction technologies that will support the industry’s decarbonisation efforts for years to come.
As sustainability continues to shape the future of construction, initiatives like this demonstrate what can be achieved when industry leaders come together with a shared vision for innovation, collaboration, and environmental responsibility.