Holcim has partnered with German start-up Magment to develop a concrete-based solution to electric vehicle charging.
The magnetisable concrete technology allows electric vehicles to charge wirelessly while moving along the road surface through a process called inductive charging.
Holcim’s global innovation centre head Edelio Bermejo said collaboration like this was key to solving the problems of the future.
“We are innovating to put concrete at the centre of our world’s transition to ne zero,” Bermejo said.
“With Magment, we are excited to be developing concrete solutions to accelerate electric mobility. Partnering with start-ups all over the world we are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation to lead the way in sustainability.”
Holcim works with more than 120 start-up businesses globally to trial technologies which are designed to reduce carbon emissions.
This has included a partnership in France with CCB Greentech to develop TimberRoc – “the first wood concrete for precast construction with a negative carbon footprint,” according to Holcim.
The magnetisable concrete is being trialled by researchers at Purdue University in Indiana, USA.
Once the product’s feasibility is assured, real world trials will take place for North American highways and other applications such as industrial floors to charge robots and equipment such as forklifts.
Magment co-founder and chief executive officer Mauricio Esguerra said Holcim was a strong partner to develop the concrete product.
“We are proud to collaborate with a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions like Holcim,” Esguerra said.
“By developing superior grades of our magnetisable concrete technology, we will be a key enabler for the sustainable, electric transportation of the future.”
Holcim has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable building products and has underpinned its goals with a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
It is also targeting a 90 per cent reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2050, and the enabling of electric vehicles will support this ideology.
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