National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) has collaborated with TraceXero Technologies, a start-up focused on industrial decarbonisation, to advance Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies for the cement sector. This partnership addresses the cement industry’s significant carbon emissions, which contribute to 7% of global CO₂ output. TraceXero’s technology captures CO₂ and transforms it into graphitic carbon and graphene, aiming to convert emissions into valuable resources. NCB, a key player in research and technology development for cement, seeks to aid sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in the industry. The agreement was signed on 10 March 2026.
Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions Due
The global construction and cement industries are currently under intense pressure to reduce carbon emissions while continuing to support rapid infrastructure development. Cement production alone contributes a significant share of global carbon dioxide emissions due to the energy-intensive process of clinker production and the chemical reactions involved in manufacturing cement. To address this challenge, innovative collaborations between research institutions and climate-technology companies are emerging. One such important development is the collaboration between National Council for Cement and Building Materials and TraceXero to advance carbon capture technologies for the cement sector.
The partnership aims to develop and demonstrate scalable solutions that capture carbon dioxide emissions from cement plants and convert them into useful materials. The initiative represents an important step toward industrial decarbonisation and aligns with India’s long-term climate goals and the global movement toward net-zero emissions The National Council for Cement and Building Materials is India’s premier research and technology organisation dedicated to cement, concrete, and building materials. Operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the institution provides technical support, innovation development, and industry collaboration for the construction sector.
Collaborative Projects, The Council Also
Over the years, it has played a key role in promoting sustainable materials, energy-efficient production technologies, and environmentally responsible construction practices. Through incubation programmes and collaborative projects, the council also works with emerging startups that bring new technologies to the construction ecosystem On the other side of the collaboration, TraceXero represents a new generation of climate technology startups focusing on carbon capture and carbon utilisation solutions. The company is developing systems that capture industrial carbon emissions and transform them into graphitic carbon or other useful.
Materials instead of simply storing the captured carbon underground. This approach aims to create a circular carbon economy where emissions are converted into valuable industrial resources rather than treated solely as waste The cement industry has long been recognised as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise because emissions originate both from energy consumption and from the chemical process of limestone calcination. As urbanisation and infrastructure demand increase globally, cement production is expected to continue growing, which makes emission reduction technologies even more critical. Experts estimate that cement production contributes.
A substantial share of industrial CO₂ emissions worldwide, highlighting the urgency for technological innovation in this sector Within this context, the collaboration between the research expertise of the cement sector and the technological innovation of a climate-tech startup becomes particularly significant. By combining the deep industry knowledge of the council with the advanced capture technology developed by TraceXero, the partnership aims to demonstrate how carbon capture and utilisation systems can be integrated into cement plants TraceXero’s technology focuses on capturing carbon dioxide from industrial emissions using specialised solvent and material systems.
Advanced Composites, And Construction Materials
Once captured, the CO₂ is not merely compressed or stored but instead converted into stable forms such as graphitic carbon. These carbon materials have applications in several industries including filtration, batteries, advanced composites, and construction materials. This transformation approach provides both environmental and economic advantages, because it allows industries to reduce emissions while also generating valuable by-products The demonstration and incubation activities associated with this technology have already taken place at the facilities of the National Council for Cement and Building Materials, where pilot systems have been tested and evaluated.
These trials demonstrate the potential of the technology to capture a very high percentage of carbon dioxide from industrial sources while maintaining operational efficiency. Such pilot-scale demonstrations are important because they validate the technology before large-scale commercial deployment Another major advantage of the collaboration lies in its focus on modular systems. Traditional carbon capture infrastructure can require large and expensive installations, which can be difficult to implement in existing industrial facilities. Modular systems, however, can be integrated more easily with existing cement plants, reducing the need for extensive structural modifications.
Decades, And Industries Such As cement
This flexibility could significantly accelerate adoption across the industry The initiative also aligns with broader policy and sustainability goals within India. The country has committed to achieving net-zero emissions in the coming decades, and industries such as cement, steel, and power generation will play a central role in reaching those targets. Research institutions like NCB are therefore increasingly working with technology startups and industrial partners to develop practical solutions that can be implemented at scale. In recent years, the council has collaborated with several organisations on sustainable construction technologies, including advanced materials such as.
Graphene-enhanced concrete and life-cycle assessment platforms that evaluate the environmental impact of building materials. These initiatives demonstrate the organisation’s ongoing commitment to developing next-generation solutions that reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency across the construction sector The partnership with TraceXero represents (India) another step in that broader strategy, focusing specifically on the decarbonisation of cement production. By incubating and supporting innovative startups, the council aims to accelerate the transition toward sustainable construction technologies while strengthening India’s domestic innovation ecosystem.
Toward Achieving Climate Goals
For the cement industry itself, carbon capture technology is increasingly viewed as one of the most promising pathways toward achieving climate goals. While energy efficiency improvements and alternative fuels can reduce emissions to some extent, they cannot eliminate process-related emissions from limestone decomposition. Carbon capture and utilisation technologies therefore provide a complementary solution capable of addressing emissions that cannot otherwise be avoided The economic potential of carbon utilisation also makes the technology particularly attractive. Instead of viewing captured carbon dioxide as a waste product that requires costly storage.
Industries can convert it into useful materials such as graphite, graphene, or other carbon-based products. These materials are valuable in sectors ranging from electronics to energy storage and advanced manufacturing If successfully scaled, this technology could transform the way industries think about carbon emissions. Rather than simply trying to minimise emissions, companies could begin treating carbon as a resource that can be captured, processed, and reused in the production cycle The NCB–TraceXero collaboration therefore represents more than just a research partnership. It highlights a broader shift in industrial thinking toward circular carbon economies and sustainable manufacturing models.
By demonstrating practical solutions within the cement industry, the initiative could serve as a blueprint for other high-emission sectors seeking to reduce their environmental impact As governments, industries, and researchers continue to explore pathways toward decarbonisation, (India) collaborations like this will play an increasingly important role. They combine scientific expertise, entrepreneurial innovation, and industrial experience to address one of the most complex challenges of modern infrastructure development. With cement remaining a fundamental component of global construction, breakthroughs in carbon capture technology may ultimately determine how sustainable the future built environment becomes.
Q1. What is the purpose of the NCB–TraceXero partnership?
The partnership aims to develop carbon capture and utilisation technologies that reduce emissions from cement manufacturing.
Q2. Why is carbon capture important for the cement industry?
Cement production releases significant CO₂ due to both fuel combustion and chemical reactions during clinker production.
Q3. What makes TraceXero’s technology unique?
It captures carbon dioxide and converts it into valuable materials such as graphitic carbon instead of storing it underground.
Q4. How does the partnership support sustainability goals?
It helps reduce industrial emissions and supports India’s long-term net-zero climate targets.
Q5. Can carbon capture technology be used in other industries?
Yes, similar systems can be applied in sectors like steel, power generation, and chemical manufacturing.
