Ureaka

Ureaka is a University of Strathclyde spin-out company developing carbon-negative concrete solutions by transforming construction and demolition waste into sustainable building materials. The company utilizes a proprietary process that combines circular chemistry and mineral processing to recover valuable elements like calcium and silica from waste concrete. These materials are then reacted with captured CO2 to form stable carbonate minerals, resulting in a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). This drop-in binder is designed to be compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure, allowing concrete producers to reduce their reliance on traditional, carbon-intensive cement without requiring significant operational changes or high-temperature kiln processes.

By repurposing abundant mineral waste streams and sequestering carbon permanently into construction products, Ureaka addresses the significant environmental impact of the global cement industry. Beyond new construction applications, the company is also exploring biocementation strategies for the repair, remediation, and strengthening of existing concrete structures. Currently moving from laboratory research toward commercial application, the team is engaged in factory-scale modelling, product testing, and validation to bring their low-carbon technology to market as an economically viable and scalable alternative to conventional cement.