Co-reactive secures €6.5M to decarbonise cement production
German climatetech startup Co-reactive has raised €6.5 million to commercialise its process for transforming captured CO₂ into carbon-negative cement materials, aiming to tackle one of the world’s most polluting industries.
The fresh capital will support scaling of the company’s pilot facilities, further development of its proprietary carbon mineralisation technology, and the build-out of partnerships with major cement and construction players across Europe.
Tackling the cement industry’s emissions problem
The global cement sector is responsible for an estimated 7–8% of total greenhouse gas emissions, driven largely by the chemical process of converting limestone into clinker. Unlike many other industries, a significant portion of these emissions cannot be eliminated simply by switching to renewable energy.
Co-reactive addresses this challenge by using captured CO₂ from industrial sources as a feedstock. Through a controlled reaction with mineral-rich industrial residues, the company produces alternative cementitious materials that permanently lock away carbon in solid form, creating what it describes as carbon-negative cement.
From pilot to industrial deployment
The new funding will allow Co-reactive to move from lab-scale validation to larger demonstration plants integrated with existing industrial sites. The startup plans to work closely with cement manufacturers, precast concrete producers and infrastructure developers to qualify its materials for use in real-world projects.
According to the company, its technology is designed to be compatible with existing cement production and concrete supply chains, reducing the need for costly retrofits while helping clients meet tightening EU climate targets and emerging carbon pricing regimes.
Positioning in the climatetech landscape
The investment in Co-reactive reflects growing interest in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) solutions that can generate revenue from captured emissions rather than treating them solely as a cost. As regulators and developers increasingly demand low- and zero-carbon building materials, the startup aims to position itself as a key enabler of climate-aligned infrastructure and sustainable urban development.