New EAD on blended cements 'major milestone' in low-carbon cements: Ecocem

European low-carbon cement provider Ecocem has hailed the publication of a new European Assessment Document on blended cements as a "major milestone" for the commercialization of low-carbon cements in Europe, the company said in a statement Dec. 16.

"The EAD provides regulatory clarity, confirming that Ecocem's breakthrough ACT technology meets recognised technical requirements for the European construction market," Ecocem said.

The newly published EAD cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, formally defines the rules and criteria for assessing the performance of blended cements, including those with high filler content, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, pozzolanic material, and clinker. This regulatory development enables Ecocem and other low-carbon cement providers to pursue a European Technical Assessment and obtain CE marking, allowing them to bring innovative technologies to market.

"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," Ecocem' founder and Managing Director Donal O'Riain said. "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."

ACT, Ecocem's low-carbon cement technology, has demonstrated CO₂ reductions of up to 70% compared with traditional European cements, Ecocem said. The company is currently constructing its first ACT production line at a new Eur50 million facility in Dunkirk, France, with commercial operations expected to begin in late 2026. This forms part of a wider Eur220 million investment programme to expand Ecocem's low-carbon cement production facilities by 2030.

The company added that it will continue collaborating with national authorities and standards bodies to secure ACT's inclusion in National Annexes of concrete standards across targeted European markets.

"This new EAD is expected to significantly facilitate market acceptance of low-carbon cement technologies," Ecocem said.