Material Evolution has secured the 2025 Constructing Excellence National Innovation Award for its pioneering ultra-low carbon cement, MevoCem, which significantly reduces CO₂ emissions and fosters sustainable construction practices across the UK.
Material Evolution (Mevo) has been honoured with the National Innovation Award at the 2025 Constructing Excellence Awards, recognising its pioneering work in ultra-low carbon cement production. This accolade follows their earlier success at the regional Constructing Excellence Wales Innovation Awards and marks a significant endorsement of Mevo’s transformative approach to sustainable construction materials.
The company’s innovative process utilises artificial intelligence, machine learning, and a patented alkali fusion technology that combines industrial byproducts without the need for heat. This breakthrough method slashes CO₂ emissions by approximately 85% compared to conventional Portland cement. The result is MevoCem, a high-performance binder that delivers a robust 52.5N strength rating while using less binder material, thereby enhancing sustainability without compromising on quality.
A key milestone in Mevo’s journey was the launch in October 2024 of the Mevo A1 Production Facility in Wrexham, Wales. This plant represents the UK’s largest ultra-low carbon cement production site, capable of manufacturing 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem annually at a commercial scale. Impressively, the facility was constructed within eight months, on time and within budget, and is strategically co-located with CCP Building Products, a subsidiary of SigmaRoc, to lower transport-related emissions further. Funding for this venture included a £15 million Series A raise alongside grants from InnovateUK, underscoring the strong support for scalable, low-carbon innovations within the industry.
Dr Liz Gilligan, CEO and co-founder of Material Evolution, emphasised the significance of this award and the broader industry readiness for sustainable solutions. Speaking about the win, she said, “Winning the Constructing Excellence National Innovation Award is a huge milestone for Material Evolution and a real validation of everything our team has worked towards… This award shows the industry is ready to embrace ultra-low carbon solutions – it proves that sustainable, scalable, high-performance cement is not just possible, it’s happening today.”
Mevo’s ambitions extend beyond innovation alone; the company has set a bold target to reduce one gigatonne of CO₂ emissions by 2040 through widespread adoption of MevoCem. The product is compatible with existing construction workflows, enabling industries such as paving, concrete piles, paths, and driveways to significantly cut carbon footprints without operational disruption. Additionally, MevoCem carries the Made in Britain accreditation, reflecting Mevo’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and supporting the UK’s industrial decarbonisation efforts.
The development of MevoCem arrives at a critical moment for the construction sector, which remains a substantial contributor to global carbon emissions. Cement production alone accounts for considerable CO₂ output, and innovations like Mevo’s low-carbon cement are vital for meeting ambitious climate goals. By leveraging industrial byproducts and eliminating heat during production, Material Evolution not only lowers emissions but also utilises waste streams more efficiently, promoting circular economy principles.
Industry observers and stakeholders view Material Evolution’s progress as a game-changer for sustainable building materials. The integration of advanced digital technologies such as AI and machine learning in the manufacturing process exemplifies the growing synergy between technological innovation and environmental responsibility in the built environment.
In summary, Material Evolution is driving a paradigm shift in the cement industry, combining cutting-edge science and sustainability with practical scalability. The National Innovation Award recognition at the Constructing Excellence Awards highlights a clear industry momentum towards ultra-low carbon solutions, a vital step in meeting the decarbonisation targets crucial to industrial and infrastructure sectors. As the company continues to push boundaries, the construction sector may well witness a new era of sustainable material technology that supports both environmental imperatives and performance standards.
- https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/mmc-news/material-evolutions-low-carbon-cement-wins-national-innovation-award/156968/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/material-evolutions-innovative-approach-to-ultra-low-carbon-cement/ – Material Evolution (Mevo) has been recognised for its innovative approach to ultra-low carbon cement production. The company employs a patented alkali fusion process that combines industrial byproducts without the use of heat, resulting in a 85% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional Portland cement. MevoCem, the sustainable binder produced, achieves a 52.5N strength rating while using less binder than ordinary Portland cement. The company aims to save one gigaton of CO₂ by 2040 and has launched the UK’s largest ultra-low carbon cement plant in Wrexham, capable of producing 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem annually. The plant was completed on time and within budget in just eight months, co-located with CCP Building Products to reduce transport emissions. The project was funded through a £15 million Series A fundraise and grants from InnovateUK. Mevo’s commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by its Made in Britain accreditation, underscoring its dedication to domestic manufacturing and reducing the UK’s carbon footprint. The company continues to drive innovation in the construction sector, aiming to transform the industry with sustainable, scalable, high-performance cement solutions.
- https://www.materialevolution.com/ultra-low-carbon-cement-plant/ – Material Evolution (Mevo) has inaugurated the UK’s largest ultra-low carbon cement production facility in Wrexham. The Mevo A1 Production Facility is now operational, marking a significant milestone in low-carbon cement production. The facility produced its first batch of ultra-low carbon cement in October 2024, just eight months after construction began. It has the capacity to produce 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem annually, a sustainable binder that reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional Portland cement. The plant is co-located with CCP Building Products, a subsidiary of SigmaRoc, to further reduce transport emissions. The project was funded through a £15 million Series A fundraise and grants from InnovateUK. Mevo’s CEO, Dr Liz Gilligan, expressed excitement over the industry’s readiness to embrace ultra-low carbon solutions, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation in the construction sector.
- https://www.materialevolution.com/ultra-low-carbon-cement/ – Material Evolution (Mevo) offers ultra-low-carbon cement solutions designed to outperform traditional cement. Their flagship product, MevoCem, emits 144-196 kg of CO₂e per tonne, significantly reducing emissions compared to ordinary Portland cement. MevoCem achieves a robust 52.5 strength rating while using less binder than traditional cement. The product integrates seamlessly into existing workflows without requiring operational changes. MevoCem is produced at the Mevo A1 Production Facility in Wrexham, which has the capacity to produce 120,000 tonnes annually. The company aims to save one gigaton of CO₂ by 2040, addressing the cement industry’s substantial contribution to global emissions. MevoCem is suitable for various applications, including paving, paths, driveways, and concrete piles, supporting sustainable construction without compromising on quality.
- https://www.materialevolution.com/ultra-low-carbon-cement-plant/ – Material Evolution (Mevo) has inaugurated the UK’s largest ultra-low carbon cement production facility in Wrexham. The Mevo A1 Production Facility is now operational, marking a significant milestone in low-carbon cement production. The facility produced its first batch of ultra-low carbon cement in October 2024, just eight months after construction began. It has the capacity to produce 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem annually, a sustainable binder that reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional Portland cement. The plant is co-located with CCP Building Products, a subsidiary of SigmaRoc, to further reduce transport emissions. The project was funded through a £15 million Series A fundraise and grants from InnovateUK. Mevo’s CEO, Dr Liz Gilligan, expressed excitement over the industry’s readiness to embrace ultra-low carbon solutions, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation in the construction sector.
- https://www.materialevolution.com/ultra-low-carbon-cement-plant/ – Material Evolution (Mevo) has inaugurated the UK’s largest ultra-low carbon cement production facility in Wrexham. The Mevo A1 Production Facility is now operational, marking a significant milestone in low-carbon cement production. The facility produced its first batch of ultra-low carbon cement in October 2024, just eight months after construction began. It has the capacity to produce 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem annually, a sustainable binder that reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional Portland cement. The plant is co-located with CCP Building Products, a subsidiary of SigmaRoc, to further reduce transport emissions. The project was funded through a £15 million Series A fundraise and grants from InnovateUK. Mevo’s CEO, Dr Liz Gilligan, expressed excitement over the industry’s readiness to embrace ultra-low carbon solutions, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation in the construction sector.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, dated November 12, 2025, and reports on a recent award received by Material Evolution. The content appears original, with no evidence of being recycled or republished from other sources. The article includes updated data and quotes, indicating a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Dr Liz Gilligan, CEO and co-founder of Material Evolution, are unique to this report. No identical quotes have been found in earlier material, suggesting original content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from PBC Today, a UK-based publication focusing on planning, building control, and construction news. While it is a specialised outlet, it is not as widely recognised as major media organisations. The report cites Material Evolution’s official website and includes direct quotes from the company’s CEO, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Material Evolution’s award and the details of their ultra-low carbon cement production are consistent with information from other reputable sources. The company’s Mevo A1 Production Facility in Wrexham, Wales, is known to be operational and capable of producing 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem annually. The narrative’s language and tone are appropriate for the subject matter, and there are no signs of excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, original, and supported by credible sources. The claims made are plausible and consistent with known information about Material Evolution’s recent achievements. The report provides specific details and direct quotes, enhancing its credibility.
