VDZ TECHNOLOGY GGMBH

Their core work

VDZ Technology gGmbH is the research and technology arm of the German Cement Works Association (VDZ), based in Düsseldorf. They specialize in decarbonizing cement and concrete production — one of the hardest-to-abate industrial sectors responsible for ~8% of global CO2 emissions. Their work spans CO2 capture technologies (calcium looping, CCUS chain optimization), alternative clinker production, and circular economy approaches including waste-derived raw materials and concrete recarbonation. They bring deep cement process knowledge to European consortia tackling industrial decarbonization.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015-2016), VDZ Technology focused squarely on CO2 capture from cement production (CEMCAP) and explored electrochemical technologies (ECo). From 2017 onward, their scope broadened significantly toward circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste-to-value chains — FlashPhos tackles sewage sludge recycling into alternative cement, while ACCSESS addresses the full CCUS value chain across multiple industries. The trajectory shows a clear shift from single-process decarbonization to system-level approaches combining carbon capture with circular material flows.

VDZ Technology is moving from pure carbon capture toward integrated decarbonization strategies that combine CCUS with circular economy and cross-industry material recycling — positioning them for the EU's net-zero industrial transition agenda.

How they like to work

VDZ Technology consistently participates as a partner rather than leading consortia, which reflects their role as a specialized domain expert contributing cement industry knowledge to larger research initiatives. With 71 unique partners across 18 countries from just 5 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia (averaging ~14 partners per project). This makes them an accessible, well-networked contributor — easy to integrate into new consortia where cement or construction material expertise is needed.

Extensive network of 71 unique partners spanning 18 countries, built through participation in large European consortia. Their reach is pan-European with no single geographic cluster, reflecting the cross-border nature of industrial decarbonization research.

What sets them apart

VDZ Technology occupies a rare niche: they are the R&D arm of the German cement industry association, meaning they combine academic research rigor with direct access to real-world cement plants, process data, and industry needs. For any consortium working on industrial decarbonization, construction material circularity, or CCUS, they bring something most research centres cannot — the ability to validate results against actual production conditions. Their non-profit (gGmbH) structure means they operate as a neutral bridge between academia and the cement industry.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CEMCAP
  Their largest funded project (EUR 950k) and foundational work on CO2 capture technologies specifically designed for cement plants.
• ACCSESS
  Most recent and broadly scoped project, addressing the full CCUS chain across cement, pulp/paper, and waste-to-energy sectors with EUR 669k funding.
• FlashPhos
  Represents a strategic pivot into circular economy — recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge while producing alternative cement, connecting waste management with construction materials.