Reclinker, a Bridgend-based firm, has secured £10m in an oversubscribed series A equity round to commercialise its low-carbon technology that turns demolition waste into new cement. The company is now looking to scale to full production following successful industrial trials with 7 Steel UK in Cardiff.
Technology proven at industrial scale
The process has been demonstrated through multiple industrial-scale trials at 7 Steel’s electric arc operation, which makes steel from recycled steel. Reclinker has already made its first commercial sales.
The funding round was co-led by specialist climate tech investors Clean Growth Fund and AP Ventures, with further participation from the Development Bank of Wales and existing investors including Zero Carbon Capital, Kibo Invest and Cambridge Enterprise. The investment brings together international climate technology expertise with Welsh backing to support the commercialisation of a process already proven at industrial scale in Cardiff.
How the technology works
Reclinker’s technology, developed at the University of Cambridge, recovers cement paste from construction demolition and turns it back into clinker inside the electric arc furnaces already used to recycle steel. Because it makes use of existing steel infrastructure, Reclinker can scale with comparatively low capital investment.
The new funding will support production in Cardiff towards 120,000 tonnes per year and help replicate the model across additional electric arc furnace facilities in Europe and the US. The market opportunity has also been validated through the Innovate UK Advance Market Commitment, where large concrete users have publicly stated their intent to introduce significant volumes of low-carbon clinker over the next five years.
Reducing cement emissions
Cement is one of the world’s hardest sectors to decarbonise, responsible for approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions – roughly three times those of aviation. The vast majority arise from producing clinker, cement’s key ingredient, with around 53% of its emissions derived from the calcination of limestone and a further 35% from the fossil fuels burned in high-temperature kilns.
Reclinker’s electrically driven circular process requires no kiln, no quarried limestone and no fossil-fuel-driven heat. Its cementitious slag is processed and sold in blended cement products, expected to deliver an immediate 50% reduction in emissions with further reductions as the technology scales – at cost parity with conventional cement.
Investor and partner reactions
Bill Yost, chief executive of Reclinker, said: “We are thrilled to have received backing from both our existing and incoming investors. This oversubscribed round sends a strong signal that UK investors are serious about decarbonisation. We are particularly glad this investment will support the growth of green industries in Wales.”
Stephen Price, investment partner at Clean Growth Fund, said: “Cement is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise, with emissions deeply embedded in both process chemistry and energy use. Reclinker’s approach is a compelling example of how industrial symbiosis can unlock meaningful emissions reductions by leveraging existing infrastructure.”
Andrew Hinkly, AP Ventures managing partner, said: “Portland cement clinker is essential to infrastructure development, yet remains one of the hardest industrial emissions sources to abate. Reclinker has developed a unique, scalable, and cost-competitive route to low-carbon clinker production that can be deployed using existing steel industry capital equipment.”
Gareth Mayhead of the Development Bank of Wales said: “This investment demonstrates the power of co-investment in bringing innovative, high-growth businesses to Wales. By investing alongside specialist climate technology investors, we’re helping Reclinker establish and grow its presence here, building on the successful industrial trials already undertaken in Cardiff.”
Gabriella Nizam, head of sustainability and public affairs at 7 Steel UK, said: “We have been pleased to contribute to the development of this world-first technology at our Cardiff site operations. We have been a hub for industrial innovation, leading low carbon electric arc furnace steel production for decades, and we are pleased to support projects addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues.”
