In 2024, artificial intelligence dominated Contech (construction technology) investments, claiming 37% of total funding and larger-than-average deal sizes. Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just generating buzz, it’s the cornerstone of evolution, reshaping the Contech investment landscape and propelling a pivotal shift in the digitalization of the construction industry.
OPTIMITIVE has ridden the AI wave, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in processes across heavy-intensive industries—and construction is no exception. The Spanish company is now part of our investment portfolio, redefining real-time construction process optimization with analytics & visionary AI technology.
Keep scrolling to learn more about this hot-off-the-press partnership!
Cemex Ventures invests in company pushing boundaries of real-time industrial process optimization with AI technology
Madrid, Spain. April 22, 2025. Cemex Ventures, Cemex’s corporate venture capital (CVC) and open innovation unit, announced today that it has executed an investment agreement with OPTIMITIVE, a Spanish company that provides high-tech solutions through advanced analytics & artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize efficiency and sustainability in processes within energy-intensive industries.
Founded in 2008, OPTIMITIVE has developed proprietary artificial intelligence software to enhance efficiency across heavy industries. It offers advanced solutions for process improvement, maintenance, and services, with a strong focus on the cement industry during the last years. The Spain-based company has developed one of the most far-reaching solutions on the market, featuring real-time and closed-loop process optimization—which means it can autonomously learn and adjust optimal set points in autopilot mode. Among its additional competitive advantages is its no-code visual design—which enables large-scale adoption without requiring specific AI expertise—and continuous operation—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. OPTIMITIVE is currently commercializing two main products: Optibat Studio – a tool for historical data analytics, modeling, and optimization used by process engineers – and Optibat RTO – a tool for real-time operation used by process operators.
“OPTIMITIVE has a robust customer base across a large number of sectors, making it an ideal partner that reinforces Cemex’s commitment to transforming the industry through collaboration with breakthrough technologies,” said Alfredo Carrato, Investment and Open Innovation at Cemex Ventures. “We are excited about this partnership with OPTIMITIVE, given the impressive results they have already achieved in Europe and the United States in projects to date with Cemex.”
“Since our first engagement with Cemex some years ago, we have always been confident that our relationship would be long-lasting. “Now, thanks to their strong technological vision and commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, they have chosen to continue supporting OPTIMITIVE through this investment”, commented Fernando de la Prida, CEO at OPTIMITIVE. “This decision reflects the high level of satisfaction among our clients and the competitive advantages that OPTIBAT brings to their operations.”
Cemex seeks to scale OPTIMITIVE’s solution across its operations as part of its Digital Innovation in Motion ecosystem, with the goal of agile large-scale deployments in the near future. By integrating this groundbreaking solution, the construction giant aims to significantly reduce energy consumption at its production facilities while simultaneously increasing (production) efficiency by up to double digit percentage points. Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in reducing Cemex’s operational carbon footprint, in line with the Future in Action program to become a net-zero CO₂ company. This collaboration is a clear example of how cutting-edge technologies are transforming the building materials sector of the future.
About OPTIMITIVE
OPTIMITIVE delivers advanced technology solutions for operational optimization through Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Their systems work in real-time, analyzing process data and recommending the most appropriate adjustments in each case to minimize energy consumption while improving production, quality, safety, and equipment health. OPTIMITIVE is rooted in Álava, Spain, and has expanded globally. They operate in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, with over 10 years of experience in process industries. For more information, please visit: https://optimitive.com/
About Cemex Ventures
Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through solutions that consider sustainability. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com
About Cemex
Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com
OPTIMITIVE has developed proprietary artificial intelligence software efficiency in heavy industries, with a strong focus on the cement industry. The Spanish company offers one of the most comprehensive solutions on the market, featuring real-time, closed-loop process optimization –which means it can autonomously learn and adjust optimal set points in autopilot mode. One of its major competitive advantages is its no-code visual design, enabling large-scale adoption without requiring AI expertise, along with continuous, 24/7 year-round operation.
These are OPTIMITIVE’s main products:
As the open innovation arm of Cemex, we are committed to continuously seeking high-potential startups focused on enhancing sustainability and driving digital transformation in the building industry. With a strong emphasis on decarbonizing the built environment and promoting energy efficiency principles, Cemex Ventures is eager to collaborate with startups aligned with these objectives. OPTIMITIVE stands out as an ideal partner, offering cutting-edge technology and one of the most far-reaching solutions on the market, which has already delivered impressive results in projects across Europe and the United States with Cemex.
Put simply: By integrating OPTIMITIVE’s solution, Cemex aims to significantly reduce energy consumption while simultaneously increasing production efficiency.
But let’s dive a little bit deeper…
In this partnership, Cemex aims to take OPTIMTIVE’s technology to the next level, scaling its solutions across its operations and helping fulfill its mission of transforming industrial processes globally, making them more efficient and sustainable using AI, thus contributing to a better world to live in.
Cemex helps OPTIMITIVE raise additional capital to fuel its growth while leveraging Cemex Ventures’ expertise in growth strategies and Cemex’s knowledge of construction and building materials. Through this partnership, Cemex aims to achieve agile, large-scale deployments of OPTIMITIVE’s solution in the near future.
OPTIMITIVE helps Cemex through its robust presence across a wide range of sectors, reinforcing Cemex’s commitment to transforming the industry through collaboration with breakthrough technologies.
This partnership is closely aligned with one of Cemex’s top priorities: Digital Innovation in Motion. By integrating its solution, the construction giant will reduce its energy consumption while simultaneously increasing production efficiency by up to double-digit percentage points.
Moreover, this agreement is closely tied to Cemex’s strategic priority of Future in Action sustainability program, as energy efficiency plays a fundamental role in reducing Cemex’s operational carbon footprint on its path to becoming a net-zero CO₂ company.
Founded in 2008, the Spain-based startup made its first steps with Cemex Ventures—although it had already worked with Cemex—appearing in the Top 50 Contech Startups & Cleantech Construction Map in 2024 under the Decarbonization Alternatives vertical. Now, in 2025, we’re betting on OPTIMITIVE through this investment.
The Basque startup—present in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe—specializes in optimizing efficient services for businesses and serves clients in the cement, oil, and chemical industries, among other sectors. OPTIMITIVE has a…
Like all our portfolio companies, we’ll keep you updated with all the news about OPTIMITIVE through our digital channels: blog, social media, and our Contech Tacos biweekly newsletter (we also send memes 😉).
Biomass energy is one of the oldest forms of energy used by humans – think of burning wood for warmth – yet it’s also a modern clean-tech solution. In today’s push for greener construction and sustainable power, biomass energy offers a way to turn organic waste and plant materials into useful electricity, heat, or fuel.
This post breaks down what biomass energy is, how it works, and its pros and cons, in a friendly and easy-to-understand way. We’ll explore why cleantech and construction professionals are giving biomass a fresh look as part of the clean energy mix.
Biomass energy is a form of renewable energy derived from organic materials (biomass) like plants, wood, and animal waste. In simple terms, it’s energy from stuff that was recently living. This includes materials such as:
These biomass sources can be used to produce heat, electricity, or even transportation fuels. For example, corn and sugar cane can be fermented into ethanol (a biofuel), and used cooking oil or soybean oil can be processed into biodiesel for trucks.
Did you know?
Landfill gas—mainly methane produced from decomposing waste—can actually be captured and burned to generate energy in certain projects.
Disadvantages & Challenges of Biomass Energy
While biomass offers many benefits as a renewable energy source, it’s not without its drawbacks. From environmental concerns to economic and logistical challenges, it’s important to understand the limitations that come with using organic material for power. Here are some key disadvantages and hurdles to consider when evaluating biomass energy.
Resource-Intensive (Land & Water):
Emissions & Air Pollution:
Lower Efficiency:
Higher Costs (Currently):
Not Always Carbon Neutral:
In summary, biomass energy’s downsides revolve around environmental trade-offs and practical challenges in sourcing and burning the fuel. It’s renewable, but only if we renew the resources. It’s cleaner than coal, but not emissions-free.
And it’s potentially low-carbon, but not automatically so – good practices and policies are needed to make biomass a truly sustainable part of the energy mix.Why is biomass considered renewable?
Because new plants and organic waste are continually growing or produced. Unlike fossil fuels which take millions of years to form, biomass can be replenished on human timescales – trees regrow, crops are harvested annually, and waste is continuously generated. In fact, biomass has been a major energy source throughout history and still accounts for a significant share of renewable energy today.
Globally, bioenergy (energy from biomass) is the largest renewable energy source, making up about 55% of all renewable energy and about 6% of total world energy supply. In the European Union, biomass accounts for ~59% of renewable energy consumption (as of 2021). Even in the United States, which relies heavily on fossil fuels, biomass provided about 5% of total primary energy in 2023
This shows that biomass energy is not a fringe idea – it’s a major player in the renewable energy mix worldwide.
Biomass contains stored chemical energy that originally came from the sun. Through photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight, CO₂, and water into organic matter. When we use that biomass as fuel, we’re releasing the sun’s energy that the plants stored. There are a few key ways this conversion happens:
In all methods, the goal is the same: release energy from biomass to generate electricity, heat, or fuel. Modern biomass plants often resemble coal plants but use renewable inputs instead of fossil fuels.
Waste-to-energy is a related approach, where municipal solid waste is burned to produce power. The biomass portion of garbage (like food, wood, and paper) contributes to energy output while reducing landfill use. Proper pollution controls are needed to manage non-organic materials like plastics.
In short, biomass energy turns natural materials into power—whether through burning, chemical conversion, or microbial processes—offering a renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
Biomass often comes up as a promising clean energy solution. Here are some key advantages, especially relevant for startups and construction industry professionals looking at cleaner energy alternatives:
Renewable & Sustainable:
Waste Reduction (Two Birds, One Stone):
Energy Security & Local Jobs:
Reliable & Storable Power:
Lower Carbon Footprint (Potentially):
Versatile Use:
While biomass offers many benefits as a renewable energy source, it’s not without its drawbacks. From environmental concerns to economic and logistical challenges, it’s important to understand the limitations that come with using organic material for power. Here are some key disadvantages and hurdles to consider when evaluating biomass energy.
Resource-Intensive (Land & Water):
Emissions & Air Pollution:
Lower Efficiency:
Higher Costs (Currently):
Not Always Carbon Neutral:
In summary, biomass energy’s downsides revolve around environmental trade-offs and practical challenges in sourcing and burning the fuel. It’s renewable, but only if we renew the resources. It’s cleaner than coal, but not emissions-free.
And it’s potentially low-carbon, but not automatically so – good practices and policies are needed to make biomass a truly sustainable part of the energy mix.
FAQs
Below we address some frequently asked questions about biomass energy:
Q: Is biomass energy really carbon-neutral?
A: In principle, yes. Biomass energy can be carbon-neutral because the CO₂ released by burning is offset by the CO₂ absorbed during the growth of the biomass.
Q: What are some common uses of biomass energy in the construction industry?
A: The construction and building sector can use biomass in a few ways. One common use as a generator that runs on biodiesel (from vegetable oil) instead of petroleum diesel to reduce their carbon footprint.
Q: Does biomass energy cause pollution?
A: Biomass combustion does produce emissions, so it’s not as pristine as solar panels or wind turbines. The level of pollution, however, can be much lower than with fossil fuels, and there are ways to minimize it.
Q: Is biomass energy cheaper or more expensive than other energy?
A:This depends on the situation. If you have access to cheap biomass waste, then using that for energy can be very cost-effective – sometimes even essentially free fuel. For instance, many sawmills burn their sawdust to generate their electricity and heat, saving on energy bills. However, if you have to purchase biomass feedstock, the costs can add up. As of now, in many places, generating electricity from wind or solar is cheaper per kWh than from dedicated biomass power plants.
CONCLUSION
Biomass energy might not be as trendy as solar panels or electric vehicles, but it’s a powerful ally in the quest for sustainable energy. For cleantech innovators and construction industry professionals, understanding biomass opens up opportunities to reuse resources, cut emissions, and maybe even save costs by turning waste into energy. As with any solution, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Biomass teaches us a broader lesson: sometimes the old ways can be reinvented in new, cleaner forms to help build a greener future.
April Fools’ season is here! This can only mean one thing: The first quarter of 2025 is officially in the books. If you’re wondering what went down during the first few (definitely not quiet) months of the year, we’ve got you covered.
In this quick-read article, we’re breaking down the latest investment moves across Contech and Cleantech that have been applied to the built environment. With the construction industry in the thick of a digital and sustainable transformation, the Cemex Ventures investment team has rounded up the key trends and insights from January to March.
So, let’s take a look at Q1!
In the first quarter of 2025, the total investment volume reached US$1.39 billion across 99 deals. Compared to Q1 2024, this represents a 85% increase in the number of transactions—despite prevailing uncertainty, Q1 has performed well relative to the same period last year. That said, it will be important to assess the impact of broader macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty as the year progresses.
Construction technologies are at the forefront of transforming the way we build. In Q1 2025, Cemex Ventures’ investment strategy was focused on 4 key market-driven opportunities. Here’s how the investment was distributed across these transformative areas:
The biggest shift compared to Q1 2024 came from Construction Supply Chain solutions, which jumped from capturing just 8% of total investment to an impressive 19%. Meanwhile, Future of Construction technologies also gained momentum, nearly doubling their investment volume year over year.
In terms of the amount of money invested (%), Green Construction (36%) was the most active Focus Area, encompassing solutions related to decarbonization, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), circular business models, sustainable materials, water conservation, etc. Following very closely behind was investment in Enhanced Productivity (33%), which includes solutions such as project design and budgeting, geotechnical analysis, project bidding, and document management, among other solutions that improve construction efficiency.
Continuing the trends from 2024 & 2023, most of Contech & Cleantech investments – almost 50% – in the first quarter were concentrated in the United States. However, we saw a significant increase in capital deployed across Europe and the Asia Pacific (APAC) regions compared to Q1 2024. For more information about last year’s investment by region, download the Top 50 Contech Startups Report 2025.
The top countries by investment amount in Q1 were the United States, India, Germany, and France, solidifying their position as the most active markets in innovative construction technologies.
Cemex Ventures’ investment team compiles a monthly roundup of the most significant deals within the Contech & Cleantech ecosystem. Below are the top three transactions from Q1, reflecting key developments in these sectors:
Wrapping up, here are the key takeaways from the investment experts at Cemex Ventures:
Whether you are a startup, SME, corporate, building professional, media journalist, or just want to find out more, we encourage you to contact us through our website or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
You can also keep up to date with the newest Contech deals and news by subscribing to our biweekly Contech Tacos newsletter!
At Cemex Ventures, through our exclusive acceleration program, Leaplab, we are shaping the next generation of startups, empowering businesses to expand and grow. This third edition featured an open call, bringing in high-potential solutions and top-tier mentors to join the new cohort. After a huge number of applications and months of evaluation, we can finally say—a new chapter begins!
Let’s welcome Leaplab’s latest cohort: six extraordinary startups from four countries tackling global strategic challenges and unlocking business opportunities with their groundbreaking solutions: EarthTrack, Emidat, FuelHub, Guidewheel, Optocycle, and Sodex.
If you want to learn more, dive into this 5-minute read as we break down the key points from Leaplab’s 3rd edition!
The 3rd edition of Leaplab will feature six startups working intensively for 16 weeks on real-scale pilots, deploying their solutions in close to 40 sites impacting all Cemex business lines:
The new Leaplab cohort will receive support from the expertise of approximately 80 specialists, both from Cemex and external partners. These experts will play a crucial role in offering piloting guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help startups refine and scale their solutions. Upon successfully completing the program, the startups and their Cemex pilot teams will showcase their results and key learnings to Cemex Executive Committee in the Demo Day 2025 – an event that represents a prime opportunity for startups to demonstrate their ability to create value and forge strategic collaborations with Cemex.
Major highlight: Graduates of the Cemex Ventures Leaplab Program have the potential opportunity to secure Commercial Agreements with one or more Cemex business units. Moreover, if there are positive pilot results and scalability potential, it could open the door to investment considerations from Cemex Ventures.
Piloting, testing, and scaling a startup demands significant resources and time, with even greater challenges in a capital-intensive industry like construction. Cemex Ventures Leaplab tackles these obstacles by connecting high-potential startups with Cemex’s extensive expertise and infrastructure, accelerating their growth path.
Here’s why Leaplab is the right opportunity for your innovative company:
Leaplab is much more than an accelerator—it’s the ultimate platform to grow and shape the future together. Big things are happening as each participant takes their #Leap, and we can’t wait to share their progress. Stay tuned for what’s next!
Cemex Ventures Drives Construction Innovation with the 3rd Leaplab Edition
Madrid, April 9, 2025. Cemex Ventures, Cemex’s corporate venture capital and open innovation unit, launches the third edition of Leaplab, its intensive acceleration program designed for startups with the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. This year, six startups from four countries will join the cohort, bringing disruptive solutions addressing strategic challenges and unlocking business opportunities.
Leaplab offers startups the unique opportunity to connect and closely collaborate with Cemex global operations for this 16-week program. In addition to running a real-scale pilot, during this period, the selected companies will receive personalized mentorship from 80 industry experts and business advisors from Cemex and beyond who will enhance their solutions and support them to scale.
This edition’s startups have developed promising value propositions deeply connected to sustainability, operations efficiency and productivity. “The construction industry is at a turning point where technological innovation plays a crucial role, and at Cemex, we are determined to face this by betting on the talent of these startups,” says Karla Arrambide, Cemex Ventures Leaplab Manager. “Leaplab is a program that drives the sector’s transformation by connecting high-potential startups with Cemex’s experience and resources.”
Throughout the program, the startups will work closely with Cemex pilot teams, validating their technologies in Cemex sites across all business lines, presenting results at the program’s conclusion, and sharing key learnings with the Cemex Executive Committee. The Demo Day event represents a unique opportunity for startups to showcase their capacity to generate value and establish strategic collaborations with Cemex.
Participation in Leaplab not only offers startups an exceptional platform to scale their businesses. Upon successful graduation, these companies have the potential to sign commercial agreements with various Cemex business units, opening doors to long-term collaboration. Furthermore, Cemex Ventures can also consider strategic investments in those that demonstrate positive results and a high potential for scalability, thus consolidating their growth, expansion, and inclusion in the current market.
Without further ado, we are proud to formally announce the extraordinary startups that will make up the Leaplab 2025 Cohort.
About Cemex Ventures
Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through solutions that consider sustainability. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com
About Cemex
Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com
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Cemex Ventures BV is an indirect subsidiary of Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. Except as the context otherwise may require, references in this press release to “Cemex,” ”we,” ”us,” ”our,” refer to Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Cemex intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect Cemex’s current expectations and projections about future events based on Cemex’s knowledge of present facts and circumstances and assumptions about future events, as well as Cemex’s current plans based on such facts and circumstances, unless otherwise indicated. These statements necessarily involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Cemex’s expectations, including, among others, risks, uncertainties, and assumptions discussed in Cemex’s most recent annual report and detailed from time to time in Cemex’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores), which factors are incorporated herein by reference, which if materialized could ultimately lead to Cemex’s expectations, expected results, and/or the investment and projects referred herein not producing the expected benefits and/or results. Cemex assumes that the startups referenced in the list referred to in this press release have the rights to their corresponding projects. Cemex is not responsible for any ownership or rights issues that any startup may have with respect to their corresponding project. Forward-looking statements should not be considered guarantees of future performance, nor the results or developments are indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These factors may be revised or supplemented, and the information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice, but Cemex is not under, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or correct this press release or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. Any or all of Cemex’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate. Accordingly, undue reliance on forward-looking statements should not be placed, as such forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The content of this press release is for informational purposes only, and you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Cemex is not responsible for any third-party information referenced in this press release.
There is currently no single globally recognized or accepted, consistent, and comparable set of definitions or standards (legal, regulatory, or otherwise) of, nor widespread cross-market consensus i) as to what constitutes, a ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or having equivalent-labeled activity, product, or asset; or ii) as to what precise attributes are required for a particular activity, product, or asset to be defined as ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or such other equivalent label; or iii) as to climate and sustainable funding and financing activities and their classification and reporting. Therefore, there is little certainty, and no assurance or representation is given that such activities and/or reporting of those activities will meet any present or future expectations or requirements for describing or classifying funding and financing activities as ‘green’, ‘social’, or ‘sustainable’ or attributing similar labels. We expect policies, regulatory requirements, standards, and definitions to be developed and continuously evolve over time.
Is prefabrication the key to solving 21st-century construction challenges?
Prefabricated buildings are making waves as a sustainable breakthrough today, but what does this construction method really involve? Let’s take a closer look!
Prefabrication, as the name suggests, involves assembling building components off-site before transporting them to their final location for installation.
In traditional construction, raw materials are brought to the site, where everything is built from the ground up. Prefabrication flips this approach—only the foundation is constructed on-site, while key sections are pre-built elsewhere and then delivered for assembly.
Fun fact: In civil engineering projects like bridges and dams, steel frameworks as long as 37 meters are often prefabricated and transported to the site, streamlining construction and reducing on-site work.
The main difference between modular, prefabricated, and industrialized construction lies in how and where building components are manufactured and assembled:
In short, while prefabricated and modular construction focus on where and how building components are manufactured and assembled, industrialized construction takes a broader approach: It prioritizes efficiency, automation, and standardization by integrating advanced technologies and streamlined industrial processes to optimize the entire construction workflow.
Prefabricated construction might seem like a modern trend, but its roots go back thousands of years. As early as 2600 BCE, the Egyptians used pre-cut stone blocks to construct the pyramids, allowing for more efficient building processes. The Romans later advanced this concept by incorporating prefabricated architectural elements such as columns, arches, and domes, which helped them construct massive structures more quickly and consistently.
In the 20th century, prefabrication became a game-changer, especially after World War II. With millions of people needing housing, factory-made building components—like entire wall panels, floors, and roofs—were mass-produced and transported to construction sites for rapid assembly. This approach significantly reduced construction time and costs, making prefabrication a key solution for post-war rebuilding efforts.
For a bit more context, it’s interesting to note that prefab building and modular construction have taken a step back in recent years. However, the prefabricated construction market was valued at US$146.4Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach US$208.1Bn by 2030.
This market is growing rapidly, driven by urbanization, cost efficiency, and the demand for scalable infrastructure, especially in emerging economies like India and China. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region holds a major share, fueled by construction activity, labor shortages, and government support for affordable housing. Europe and North America are also expanding, with prefabricated construction gaining traction in commercial and residential sectors.
➡ You may be interested: The main trends in the construction world for 2025
Prefabrication is often faster than traditional construction because the components arrive pre-built and only need to be assembled on-site. It can also be more cost-effective. Since prefabricated components are manufactured in a controlled factory environment, transporting them is often cheaper than moving raw materials and assembling everything on-site.
➡ Prefabrication can reduce construction time by up to 50%!
Building more sustainably starts with rethinking how we construct. Traditional methods rely on frequent material transport and generate significant waste. In contrast, prefabrication centralizes production in a factory, reducing its environmental impact.
Prefabricated construction has become a versatile choice for a wide range of building projects. Here’s how:
At Cemex Ventures, we bet on technologies and trends that can help solve the challenges in the construction industry. As prefabricated construction continues to gain traction in the built environment and set up itself as a necessary solution for industry professionals, we keep searching for innovations that enable faster, more efficient building while optimizing resources and integrating cutting-edge technologies.
Prefab construction tackles some of the most complex challenges in modern buildings, such as rising housing costs in many cities. This manufacturing method offers an affordable alternative by streamlining production, this method uses less construction materials than traditional approaches, and shortening construction timelines, making it especially valuable for rapid-response housing. More than just a construction technique, prefabrication is a forward-thinking strategy that’s reshaping the future of building across different climates and urban landscapes.
Are you an entrepreneur with a disruptive prefab construction solution that’s redefining the industry’s future? Get in touch with our investment team now.
This is a wake-up call: Without any abatement measures from the building materials sector, global demand for concrete – the most widely used material in the world – is projected to generate 3.8 gigatons of CO2 emissions annually by 2050. Cement production—one of concrete’s key components—accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions yearly.
The future competitiveness of the global cement industry will hinge on who can reduce their carbon footprint the most. A groundbreaking innovator is reshaping cement production in construction with sustainability leading the charge and has now made its way into our investment portfolio to stay: Say hi to Terra CO2.
Simply put: Terra CO2 is a Colorado-based startup that has developed a scalable, low-carbon alternative for replacing cement in concrete.
The American startup produces supplementary cementitious materials and carbon-neutral cement to meet the vast demand, making decarbonized concrete a practical and accessible solution for the construction industry. Terra CO2 offers two standout products:
As the open innovation arm of Cemex, we are dedicated to actively identifying high-potential startups focused on advancing green construction and driving sustainability within the sector. With a strong emphasis on decarbonizing the built environment, promoting circular economy principles, and integrating renewable energy solutions, Cemex Ventures is eager to collaborate with startups that align with these objectives. Terra CO2 stands out as an ideal partner, thanks to its sustainable materials solution alternative to traditional SCMs and cement, which plays a critical role in accelerating Cemex’s decarbonization initiatives.
In simple terms, Cemex is partnering with Terra CO2 to reduce harmful emissions from its production processes, driving the construction industry’s progress toward CO2 neutrality.
So, let’s dive a little bit deeper…
In this partnership, Cemex aims to integrate Terra CO2’s solutions across its operations in the Americas and Europe, helping it fulfill its mission of becoming the global leader in carbon reduction within the construction materials industry. This agreement seeks to help Terra CO2 with the following benefits:
That said, this collaboration is a two-way street: Terra CO2’s technology could help position Cemex as a leader in cutting emissions within the construction industry. This partnership also strengthens Cemex’s ambitious climate action goals outlined in its sustainability program, Future in Action, which aims to reduce Cemex’s greenhouse gas emissions generated by its production processes through its Innovation & Partnerships pillar.
Founded in 2016, Terra CO2 Technologies is a disruptive startup dedicated to producing sustainable alternatives for cement replacement. Based in Golden, Colorado, United States, Terra CO2 is at the forefront of the sustainable materials industry.
Interesting facts: In 2024, Terra CO2 was granted by the United States Department of Energy (DoE) for the deployment of its clean technology in Utah, United States. That same year, it was named the winner of the “Decarbonization Solution of the Year” award at the inaugural Cleantech Breakthrough Awards program.
Terra CO2’s team is a group of experts dedicated to deeply decarbonizing the concrete industry, consisting of diverse professional profiles, including scientists, engineers, geologists, plant operators, and more.
What is their mission? Their mission is to revolutionize cement production and decarbonize concrete, aiming for zero clinker and, ultimately, zero CO2 emissions.
As with all our portfolio companies, we’ll keep you informed with all the latest news about Terra CO2 through our digital channels: blog, social media: LinkedIn & X, and our biweekly Contech Tacos newsletter.
But if you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative solution that’s addressing critical pain points in green construction (water efficiency, waste management, CCUS, sustainable materials, alternative fuels, and more!), we invite you to contact us!
Madrid, Spain. March 25, 2025. Cemex announced today its most recent investment in climate-friendly & zero carbon cement company, Terra CO2, carried out through its corporate venture capital (CVC) and open innovation unit, Cemex Ventures. Concrete is the world’s second most used material, next to water. The production of cement—a key component of concrete—is responsible for a significant share of global CO2 emissions annually, thus reducing related emissions in its production process is a critical climate priority for the building sector.
Terra CO2, an American-based company, produces supplementary cementitious materials and carbon-neutral cement that are scalable to meet the massive demand, making decarbonized concrete a practical and affordable solution for the construction industry. Terra’s first product, OPUS SCM™, is an engineered Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM) made from abundant and cost-effective silicate rock feedstock, capable of reducing up to 70% CO2 emissions when partially replacing clinker or other traditional cementitious products. Their second product is OPUS ZERO™, a 100% cement replacement solution now in full concrete trials. The breakthrough company was granted additional support in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), for the deployment of its clean technology.
“Our path to carbon neutrality is stronger than ever. Terra CO2 has emerged as one of the most relevant technologies in today’s market for reducing the carbon footprint at a competitive cost, making it the ideal partner for Cemex,” said Alfredo Carrato, Investment and Open Innovation at Cemex Ventures. “We are thrilled to highlight the synergy with this high-potential Cleantech solution validated by key industry players, as we continue driving the revolution in construction and leading it toward a more sustainable future.”
“Having one of the world’s leading cement producers invest in Terra CO2 validates our technology and its role in decarbonizing the industry,” said Bill Yearsley, CEO of Terra CO2. “Our approach has always been that to achieve decarbonization of cement; we need to create solutions that work as seamlessly as possible within the existing industry infrastructure. We look forward to working alongside Cemex to integrate sustainable solutions that do not disrupt our industry.”
Following this initial investment, Cemex aims to integrate Terra CO2’s portfolio of solutions across its operations in the Americas and Europe, positioning the global building materials company as a leader in carbon reduction within the building materials industry. The American startup aims to help Cemex reduce its Scope 1 CO2 emissions, targeting the direct greenhouse gas emissions generated by its production processes. This investment bolsters the ambitious climate action goals set out by Cemex’s sustainability and decarbonization program, Future in Action, through its Innovation & Partnerships pillar.
About Terra CO2
Terra is the standard for cement decarbonization. We enable our partners to unlock real zero cement from source to deployment. As the critical component in creating concrete, the foundation of modern infrastructure, cement is responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. The CO2 and NOx emissions associated with cement make finding an alternative to current solutions a climate imperative.
Unique to Terra CO2 is their capability to work across a diverse range of silicate rock mineralogy, not constrained by feedstock availability. Terra’s technology allows the company to create sustainable construction materials with the most abundant and accessible raw materials on earth from already approved and open mines.
Terra’s first product, OPUS SCM (Supplementary Cementitious Material), is ready for commercial deployment, capable of replacing up to 50% OPC (Original Portland Cement) and solving the industry’s carbon emissions and dwindling feedstock challenges. Terra’s OPUS ZERO™, a complete, real zero cement alternative, is in full concrete trials. Both leverage Terra’s “drop-in” reactor solution, which seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure and sets the foundation for the transition to real zero cement.
Validated by third parties, Terra’s materials perform equal to or better than traditional cementitious products.
Terra CO2 is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, and is led by a team of industry experts. For more information, please visit: https://terraco2.com/
About Cemex Ventures
Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through solutions that consider sustainability. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com
About Cemex
Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com
Communications – Cemex Ventures
Paloma Hernández
+34 647 38 34 76
paloma.hernandez@cemexventures.com
Media Relations – Cemex
Jorge Pérez
+52 (81) 8259-6666
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Cemex Ventures BV is an indirect subsidiary of Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. Except as the context otherwise may require, references in this press release to “Cemex,” ”we,” ”us,” ”our,” refer to Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Cemex intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect Cemex’s current expectations and projections about future events based on Cemex’s knowledge of present facts and circumstances and assumptions about future events, as well as Cemex’s current plans based on such facts and circumstances, unless otherwise indicated. These statements necessarily involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Cemex’s expectations, including, among others, risks, uncertainties, and assumptions discussed in Cemex’s most recent annual report and detailed from time to time in Cemex’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores), which factors are incorporated herein by reference, which if materialized could ultimately lead to Cemex’s expectations, expected results, and/or the investment and projects referred herein not producing the expected benefits and/or results. Cemex assumes that the startups referenced in the list referred to in this press release have the rights to their corresponding projects. Cemex is not responsible for any ownership or rights issues that any startup may have with respect to their corresponding project. Forward-looking statements should not be considered guarantees of future performance, nor the results or developments are indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These factors may be revised or supplemented, and the information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice, but Cemex is not under, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or correct this press release or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. Any or all of Cemex’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate. Accordingly, undue reliance on forward-looking statements should not be placed, as such forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The content of this press release is for informational purposes only, and you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Cemex is not responsible for any third-party information referenced in this press release.
There is currently no single globally recognized or accepted, consistent, and comparable set of definitions or standards (legal, regulatory, or otherwise) of, nor widespread cross-market consensus i) as to what constitutes, a ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or having equivalent-labeled activity, product, or asset; or ii) as to what precise attributes are required for a particular activity, product, or asset to be defined as ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or such other equivalent label; or iii) as to climate and sustainable funding and financing activities and their classification and reporting. Therefore, there is little certainty, and no assurance or representation is given that such activities and/or reporting of those activities will meet any present or future expectations or requirements for describing or classifying funding and financing activities as ‘green’, ‘social’, or ‘sustainable’ or attributing similar labels. We expect policies, regulatory requirements, standards, and definitions to be developed and continuously evolve over time.
According to AGC 2024 Construction Workforce Survey in America, 92% of firms face trouble in filling opening positions. In this context, efficient construction workforce management is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. With projects growing in complexity and deadlines becoming tighter, how do you ensure you make the most out of your team?
In this post, we will explore the current labor shortage situation, the main aspects of construction workforce management, and seven benefits you will gain from its implementation, revolutionizing your approach to managing your most valuable asset: your team.
Follow us, and may the workforce be with you.
If you’re in the construction sector, you’ve surely felt the squeeze.
The labor shortage is a fact that has been affecting the industry for years; there’s a decreasing demand from the population to join sectors that require physical effort.
Furthermore, this lack of professionals is a problem that’s affecting us all. Delayed projects? Skyrocketing costs? Sounds familiar, right? It’s not just that there are fewer workers, it’s that those we have are overwhelmed, with little time to update themselves at the pace of emerging construction trends and techniques in robotics, AI, and others… Making finding new people with the necessary skills like finding a needle in a haystack. And make no mistake!
This isn’t a passing phase; we need to find creative solutions and tools to help us better manage what we have. This is where construction workforce management software comes in…
If you’re in the construction sector, you’ve surely felt the squeeze.
The labor shortage is a fact that has been affecting the industry for years; there’s a decreasing demand from the population to join sectors that require physical effort.
Furthermore, this lack of professionals is a problem that’s affecting us all. Delayed projects? Skyrocketing costs? Sounds familiar, right? It’s not just that there are fewer workers, it’s that those we have are overwhelmed, with little time to update themselves at the pace of emerging construction trends and techniques in robotics, AI, and others… Making finding new people with the necessary skills like finding a needle in a haystack. And make no mistake!
This isn’t a passing phase; we need to find creative solutions and tools to help us better manage what we have. This is where construction workforce management software comes in…
And you might be wondering, what exactly are we talking about?
We define construction workforce management software as a specialized tool designed to optimize the planning, tracking, and allocation of labor resources within construction projects.
It serves as a central hub for project managers to efficiently plan their workforce needs and coordinate them, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Valuable tools include features such as:
Implementing construction labor management software can transform your operations and lead to significant improvements in efficiency and profitability. Here are some key benefits:
📌 You may be interested in: What is construction management and how does it work?
Here are some frequently asked questions about construction workforce management software:
Investing in the right construction workforce management software can significantly improve your operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.
By understanding the must-have features, evaluating available solutions, and considering the benefits, you can make an informed decision that drives your business forward. Embrace technology to stay competitive and achieve project success in today’s dynamic construction industry.
If we had to sum up 2024 in a few words, we’d call it a year of uncertainty—geopolitically and socially—across the globe. It was a challenging year, yet one that also brought early signs of economic stabilization, including in the Contech (construction tech) investment landscape.
There’s no doubt that the construction industry remains one of the world’s largest, and as Cemex’s corporate venture capital and open innovation arm, we play a key role in its transition—driving growth and pushing the shift toward sustainability, efficiency, and digitalization. But first, let’s take a deep dive into what shaped the Contech ecosystem in 2024, guided by our investment experts: Mateo Zimmermann – Head of Investments; Ibon Iribar & Miguel Carralón – Investment and Open Innovation Advisors.
Keep scrolling to explore the key insights & investment activity of 2024!
Last year, total venture capital (VC) remained relatively stable in 2024, growing by 6% (vs. 2023) in total investment, though deal activity dropped by 14%. However, the last quarter of 2024 showed a +53% QoQ (quarter-over-quarter) surge in funding—a positive sign, even as deal count continues to decline.
Open innovation in Contech is on the rise, with 33 active strategists identified, and 20% of transactions involving at least one strategic investor. But where are strategic investors allocating their capital? (See the graphic below 👇)
JobNimbus (United States- Enhanced Productivity): All-in-one software to help streamline roofing operations, contractors can quickly create quotes, order materials, and manage projects—all from a single, user-friendly platform.
Gropyus (Austria – Future of Construction): Vertically integrated affordable and sustainable housing, offering flexible and modular building systems to optimize land use, customize plans, and build with both off-site prefabrication and on-site assembly.
It’s crucial to highlight that Contech investments make up only about 1% of total VC funding—a figure that, despite steady growth over the years, remains extremely small compared to the industry’s overall scale.
“Contech is one of the most untapped sectors in VC, offering significant opportunities for forward-thinking investors and vast growth potential still waiting to be unlocked.” – Mateo Zimmermann, Head of Investments
Open innovation in Contech is on the rise, with 33 active strategists identified and 20% of transactions involving at least one strategic investor. But where are strategic investors allocating their capital? (See the graphic below 👇)
Furthermore, cement players are continuing to expand their open innovation strategies, including direct/indirect investments, acceleration, venture clienting, and adopting similar approaches to investing in the sector.
“The growth of corporate venture capital over the past decade has reshaped Contech investment. It is impressive to see that 20% of transactions in 2024 involved at least one industry CVC” – Miguel Carralón, Investment & Open Innovation Advisor
Last year, continuing the trend of previous years, North America accounted for 46% of the deals, while Europe and APAC saw a resurgence, increasing their share. However, Enhanced Productivity leads in North America, whereas Europe shows a more balanced distribution across focus areas.
In 2024, early-stage deals showed strength, accounting for 65% of all deals. Based on this, we expect most investors in the Contech sector to continue focusing primarily on startups in these early phases.
This aligns with the expectation that the number of deals will continue to grow, but not the deal sizes, due to the nature of these rounds. At the same time, companies securing larger-scale deal sizes are likely to remain focused on sustainability solutions tied to Cleantech (clean technologies), as these pilots typically require higher upfront costs due to their scale, unlike digital companies, which require less infrastructure. However, the largest deals have significantly reduced in size over the past 5 years, dropping from 50% to 32% in 2024.
A good piece of news is that nearly all-round types saw significant growth last year, except for Series C, which decreased by 20% compared to 2023.
“The reduction in large rounds forces us to be even more selective. We must identify those Cleantech companies with scalable and long-term viable business models, which can demonstrate efficient use of capital” – Ibon Iribar, Investment & Open Innovation Advisor
In the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector, M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) activity has grown for three consecutive years (since 2022), with strategic investors making up half of the acquisitions in 2024—signaling renewed confidence and strategic recalibration among key players.
On the other hand, Private Equity (PE) interest remains strong, particularly in construction software, as firms focus on expanding their client base and enhancing product functionalities.
All Cemex Ventures’ focus areas saw an increase in deal activity in 2024 compared to 2023, but Enhanced Productivity* stood out as the largest, growing by 119% in both deal count and investment amount—an exponential rise driven by the integration of AI into these technologies. AI-driven Contech deals accounted for 37% of total funding, with larger average deal sizes.
*Enhanced Productivity includes topics like geotechnical analysis, project tendering, project design and budgeting, planning and schedule optimization, BIM & digital twins, project monitoring and control, document management, health and safety tools, insurance and risk management, payments and finance tools, insurance and risk management, payments and finance tools, project quality and asset maintenance.
Three of the top five AI deals in 2024 were in the Enhanced Productivity category:
Closing out 2024, these are our 5 major conclusions:
If you want a deep dive into all the 2024 Contech investment data and the outlook for 2025—plus a list of the 50 most promising startups of the year—don’t miss our Top 50 Contech Startups List & Report 2025, developed by the Cemex Ventures investment team.
Thanks to new technologies and innovative materials, sustainable concrete is transforming the construction industry, reducing its environmental impact without compromising strength or durability. Discover how this alternative can help build a greener future. 🌱✨
Did you know that by 2030, the demand for green or sustainable materials will grow 4.5x? You heard that right, especially driven by the automotive & construction industries. To meet the 2050 decarbonization targets, innovative technologies that turn construction materials such as concrete into a more sustainable, eco-friendly, or greener material could make all the difference.
Let’s take a closer look at the transformative role of sustainable concrete in construction!
Concrete, steel, chemicals, and aluminum—along with the ships, planes, and trucks that transport them—are the backbone of the global economy. However, they also account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Construction is one of the industries racing to reduce harmful emissions from its operations, and its future competitive landscape will be shaped by those who can most effectively lower carbon capture and storage costs.
Concrete is a strong and durable building material made from a mix of Portland cement, water, and aggregates such as sand, gravel, and rocks. Its longevity makes it essential for sustainable construction, but its biggest environmental challenge lies in cement production—a highly polluting process that generates 3 gigatons of greenhouse gases globally each year.
*Fun fact: A gigaton of CO2 is equivalent to about 2.7K times the weight of the Empire State Building.
It’s important to note that cement is a hard-to-abate sector requiring scaling breakthrough technologies, such as CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage), to an industrial level to reach net-zero. However, significant reductions in cement and concrete emissions can be achieved in the near term by leveraging existing technologies, using lower-carbon cement blends, and adopting design techniques that minimize the carbon footprint of structures.
So, the short answer to whether concrete is a sustainable material requires us to dig deeper into this complex concept…
The main differences between sustainable concrete—also known as “green concrete”—and traditional concrete are as follows:
The result is more sustainable concrete alternatives, capable of replacing OPC while maintaining impressive strength and durability.
As we mentioned earlier, understanding how to make concrete more sustainable starts with making cement more eco-friendly. Here’s how:
Clinker, the main ingredient in cement, is behind 90% of its emissions.
While we don’t yet have a way to completely replace clinker on a large scale, there are ways to cut its use significantly. One promising solution is LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement), which can lower CO2 emissions by about 40%. LC3 swaps out half the clinker for calcined clay and ground limestone—materials that don’t release carbon when heated. Plus, clay needs less heat, which means using less fuel and even switching to electricity instead of fossil fuels.
Switching fuels and using electricity are key to cutting emissions from energy use in cement production. By partially heating the kilns with clean electricity and replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon alternatives, it’s possible to reduce reliance on coal and make the process more sustainable. Low-carbon fuel alternatives, common in various industries, include near-term drop-in options like biomass and plastic waste, as well as longer-term solutions such as green hydrogen.
For example, HiiROC, a cutting-edge clean hydrogen technology startup from our investment portfolio, has developed an innovative process for low-cost, zero-CO2-emission hydrogen production. Cemex partnered with the UK-based startup to scale its injection into cement production and increase the substitution rate of fossil fuels in a first-of-its-kind project at its Rugby cement plant.
Point-source carbon capture is a major way to cut emissions in cement and concrete production. This process traps and stores CO2 from large sources, like power plants or factories, keeping it out of the atmosphere. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) typically involves three key stages, while carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is streamlined into just two.
According to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the CCUS process could lower the industry’s carbon emissions by 36%, making it the most impactful solution for reducing emissions.
Sustainable concrete innovations are revolutionizing the way we build. These are some cutting-edge examples:
It is a prime example of sustainable concrete. This variant stands out for using industrial by-products, such as fly ash and blast furnace slag, instead of cement. By doing so, it significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to conventional methods and decreases reliance on limited natural resources.
This environmentally friendly material offers a range of advantages over traditional concrete. For instance, it can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% and help prevent these industrial by-products from ending up in landfills by putting them to clever use.
➡️ Curious to know more? Can concrete be recycled?
Self-healing concrete is a trailblazer for green construction. It fixes its own cracks, extending the life of structures while saving money and reducing waste. The secret? Tiny capsules inside the concrete release healing agents when cracks appear, triggering a reaction that seals the damage. With this breakthrough solution, maintenance costs drop, and also the need for constant repairs or replacements.
Green concrete innovations go beyond cutting CO2 emissions or boosting durability—they’re also about creating visually striking structures that harmonize with their surroundings.
Take translucent concrete, for example. Embedding optical fibers into the mix lets natural light flow through while staying strong, making it ideal for energy-efficient buildings designed to maximize daylight.
Cemex Ventures is seeking solutions to make construction more sustainable. In fact, one of the startups we’re highlighting is MIXTERESTING, part of the 2nd edition cohort from our exclusive startup accelerator, Cemex Ventures Leaplab:
The Austrian startup—one of the winners in the Green Construction category of Construction Startup Competition 2024—has developed software that enables its customers to create CO2-efficient concrete by digitally simulating the mixing process, accelerating the development cycle by up to 10 times. This allows them to achieve 5-7% higher margins through more efficient and innovative concrete mixes while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 20% through performance-based optimization.
Stay tuned for the upcoming launch of the Cleantech Construction Map 2025, and keep up with the latest Contech news by subscribing to our biweekly Contech Tacos newsletter!
We don’t have a crystal ball to read the future but one thing is clear: The construction industry is rapidly transforming, driven by technological advancements, environmental concerns, and changing consumer demands.
Can you imagine a world ruled by robots? Well, in some way it’s happening and of course, it sounds out of a sci-movie but no. The future of construction is already here!
As we look ahead to 2025, It´s clear that several construction industry trends will shape the way we know the built environment. From the Cemex Ventures team, we want to explore some of the most significant developments, from the increasing adoption of robotics and AI to the growing focus on sustainable materials and new construction methods and how they affect the final customer. And of course, make you part of the change for a greener future and a more efficient construction industry.
2025 has arrived, but…What’s next in Contech? Keep reading to know more!
The Contech sector is in the midst of significant changes, with a number of 325 transactions exceeding expectations, increasing by more than a third compared to 2023, and with a future full of innovation opportunities. This indicates that the sector will follow the upward trend in investments, which will help the industry face significant challenges that must be addressed to reach its “maximum potential”.
So, what can we expect for 2025 in the Contech environment? The answer is clear: The growth of the industry is fueled by the increasing need to enhance construction productivity, reduce costs, improve worker safety, and minimize environmental impact. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), 3D printing, and data analytics are being rapidly adopted.
However, the building sector faces challenges, including resistance to change, a shortage of skilled labor, and the need for greater interoperability between different technologies.
The construction industry is facing a growing labor shortage, making it more difficult to find and retain skilled workers.
Here are some of the key workforce challenges impacting the construction industry include:
To address these challenges, construction companies need to adopt proactive strategies for attracting and retaining talent. Some effective approaches include:
The construction industry, traditionally considered a sector with slow technological adoption, is undergoing an unprecedented revolution that has been palpable in recent years. Digital transformation is impacting all aspects of construction, from planning and design to project execution and management. This transformation materializes in intelligent construction, where the integration of digital technologies allows optimizing processes, increasing efficiency and productivity, and improving safety on site.
One of the pillars of this revolution is the growing incorporation of robotics and automation, which are transforming the sector, making repetitive and dangerous tasks easier, and freeing workers to focus on higher-value activities. And at the heart of this transformation is artificial intelligence (AI). Which is driving automation, data analysis, and intelligent decision-making in construction.
In this context, we will explore how robotics, automation, and AI are redefining the construction industry, creating a future where technological innovation is key to the success of Contech.
Once upon a time, by 2016 Sophia the robot said “Ok, I will destroy the humans” but nothing could be further from the truth. So don’t be afraid.
Robotics trend is helping to accelerate processes, increase efficiency, and improve safety in construction projects. Moreover, as the shortage of skilled labor increases, robots can help workers increase their output and productivity, an alternative to the current construction methods that not only update the industry but also complement it.
Here are some of the benefits of robotics and automation in construction tech:
AI has been the standout player of 2024 – yes, even in construction – and will be one of the key tech trends in 2025. AI is a dynamic concept revolutionizing the construction industry by enabling data-driven making and automating processes. Some applications of AI in construction include:
The market for artificial intelligence surpassed $184 billion in 2024, a significant increase of nearly $50 billion from 2023. This trend is expected to continue, opening new horizons and possibilities for our sector, making it more efficient.
There is an increasing demand for the application of sustainable measures and eco-friendly practices in the construction of buildings and no, we are not talking about setting a vertical garden in your living room. That doesn’t help to reduce the 40% of global CO2 emissions that buildings are responsible for.
Sustainable construction has established itself as one of the main trends last year and It is based on minimizing the environmental impact of buildings, using efficient materials and processes that reduce resource consumption and emissions.
There are a lot of new startups on the market working and developing sustainable materials and processes that are coming to replace the current ones, helping to create a more green industry.
Bioclimatic design, energy efficiency, new sustainable materials, indoor environmental quality or even the integration of buildings with the environment are collaborating to reduce the CO2 index in the atmosphere and therefore contribute to the project of a greener future in the sector.
Construction materials, such as cement, have been used for centuries. Increased pressure to reduce embodied carbon, reduce the amount of resources and energy, and implement circular practices is pushing the industry to find new alternatives to traditional materials, such as:
At Cemex Ventures, we are fully convinced of the importance of seeking out, promoting, supporting, monitoring, and developing new disruptive startups that represent a revolutionary shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for construction. A great example of this is the last edition of our Construction Startup Competition, where we were able to witness the great talent of the coming generations in the sector.
Another great example is our portfolio companies, among which we find great examples of robotics solutions such as COBOD, and of course, the emergence of startups like Obralink and DroneDeploy that go a step further through the development of AI.
Each new project helps us to continue working with enthusiasm to achieve all the sustainability and zero-emission goals that we have set for ourselves. We cannot deny that the biggest trend is and always will be to achieve a greener, more efficient, and safer world.
Does your startup have a procurement solution that has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry?
