LeadIT welcomes new members Cemvision “the green disruptors”.
Swedish based Cemvision are a cement industry scale-up founded in 2020 to specifically bring new perspectives and solutions to this high emissions industry. They call themselves “cemvisionaries” with the aim to revolutionize cement. Globally cement is the most important building material but it is also a major source of CO2 emissions. Finding new ways to decarbonize cement production is vital to achieving the world’s climate goals. Cemvision’s cement product offers CO2 emissions reductions of between 80 and 100%.
Oscar Hållén, Cemvision CEO speaking at Almedalen about joining LeadIT
About Cemvision
- 2020 Cemvision is founded by Claes Kollberg, Paul Sandberg, and Marcus Olsson. The three founders all have an extensive background and experience in the cement industry.
- 2021 Cemvision develops its product and carries out field trials. Its solution to decarbonise cement involves mixing new “recipes” for cement which don’t need virgin limestone. It’s the limestone which releases CO2 when heated for cement production. More emissions come from the kilns for this heating process which use fossil fuels.
- 2022 Cemvsion gets the backing of Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy and also secures two and a half million euros in seed funding from other investors.
- 2023 pilot scale production of the first circular, fossil-free decarbonized cement clinker. Cemvision signs its first commercial agreement with the Swedish state owned mining company LKAB.
- 2024 Cemvision secures ten million euros in funding to scale up production of its green cement
Read our interview with Hedvig Axberg, who is Cemvision’s technical lead and looks after supply chain. She explains the company’s vision as green disruptors and how that aligns with LeadIT membership.
Hedvig Axberg, Cemvision
Why did Cemvision want to join LeadIT?
Joining LeadIT is a strategic move for Cemvision. We want to align with top countries and companies committed to accelerating the green transition. Innovators such as Cemvision can not only scale new innovative technologies but also need to engage in strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing. For this purpose, we see that LeadIT offers the ideal platform to connect with global leaders, share innovations and be part of shaping new policies and practices across various industries.
What will Cemvision bring to LeadIT?
We bring a disruptive green approach to a highly polluting and traditional cement industry. By using waste materials instead of virgin, we eliminate the need for high-temperature calcination, which heavily cuts CO2 emissions in an energy-efficient way: No high capex for CCS, No high CO2 taxes. We are technology agnostics. We explore the best solutions without being tied to outdated methods. And, we are happy to share our insights and innovations with LeadIT members to support green efforts and learn more from others.
What is Cemvision’s vision for the cement industry of the future?
Our vision is to transform the cement industry from being resistant to change and polluting to one that continuously improves its sustainability. As much of the built environment is yet to be constructed, we envision a cement industry that meets the growing demand for cement responsibly, supporting the creation of a sustainable society.
Where does Cemvision see its role in that future?
We see ourselves as a catalyst for change, constantly pushing the limits of what is possible in cement production. Our goal is to redefine the industry standards to promote environmental performance, and demonstrate that sustainable production is not only possible but also preferable and profitable.
How important are start-ups like Cemvision to achieving decarbonization?
Scaleups like Cemvision plays a crucial role in achieving decarbonization, especially in sectors within the heavy industries. With our innovative mindset and agility, we can challenge the status quo in this industry. Our ability to innovate and implement solutions that can be scaled globally is essential for driving the industry towards the zero-carbon goals.