Innovation
Innovation is at the core of what we do.
A future where cement meets our customers’ demand for lower carbon and high performance
Ash Grove is working with Carbon Upcycling Technologies, a leader in carbon and resource utilization, on a Canadian first-of-its-kind commercial carbon capture and utilization facility at Ash Grove’s cement plant in Mississauga, Ontario. The project is being delivered through a multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The project will use Carbon Upcycling’s patented technology to permanently sequester CO₂ from the cement kiln and utilize it to transform locally produced industrial byproducts into high-quality, low-carbon supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Once operational in 2026, the facility will have the capacity to produce up to 30,000 tons of SCMs annually, directly contributing to Canada’s climate and clean manufacturing goals.
Applying new ideas and practical solutions to make our operations more efficient, improve product performance and support a safer workplace.
Innovation is essential to how we continue to improve the way we operate, serve our customers and contribute to more sustainable construction. We are constantly exploring new ideas, technologies and processes that help us work more efficiently, more safely and more responsibly.
Our focus is on practical solutions that deliver real impact on our plants, across our supply chain, and for the customers we serve. This includes improving operational efficiency, expanding the use of supplementary cementitious materials and advancing the circular economy while strengthening our commitment to safety across all aspects of our work.
By prioritizing innovation and leveraging impactful technologies, our aim is to ensure the cement industry remains a cornerstone of civilization.
Below are a few examples that illustrate how innovation is being applied:
Robotics are transforming safety
We’re proud to be pioneering the future of industrial safety and reliability with “Spot”—a four-legged autonomous robot developed by Boston Dynamics.
Spot isn’t just impressive, it’s a game-changer for plant safety. Equipped with a 4K camera and laser scanning capabilities, Spot patrols our facilities to detect anomalies and alert teams before equipment fails. It even performs refractory brick measurements inside cement kilns, eliminating the need for employees to enter hazardous environments.
Operating over 80 hours a week, Spot delivers consistent, proactive maintenance insights—helping us prevent issues before they become risks and keeping our people safe.
Pioneering the industrialization of a time-tested material
Our product, Duracem N, represents a smarter, more sustainable approach to cement.
Duracem N incorporates calcined clay sourced from abundant clay deposits in Nebraska. While the use of calcined clay dates back to Roman times, we are bringing this proven solution to commercial scale in North America. Following significant investments at our Louisville plant, we are now able to integrate calcined clay as a reactive component, enabling lower-carbon cement while maintaining strength, durability and consistency.
Already tested on a 2.5-mile roadway project in Nebraska, Duracem N is proving its performance in real-world conditions. Selected by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, it demonstrates how innovative, low carbon materials can support long-lasting infrastructure without compromising performance.
CRH Ventures Accelerator Programs
CRH Ventures partners with and invests strategically in ConTech and ClimateTech start-ups across the entire construction value chain. It runs multiple targeted accelerator programs to support startups in focus areas such as water solutions, roads of the future and sustainable building materials. These initiatives provide funding, pilot opportunities and access to CRH’s global network to scale impactful innovations.
For more information visit: www.crhventures.com
