Holcim Polska has officially launched the construction of a modern Research and Development Centre at the Kujawy Cement Plant. The investment, co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) programme, will strengthen the company’s research capabilities and become one of the most important hubs for the development of construction technologies in Central and Eastern Europe.
The new centre will serve as an innovation hub for the CEE region, focusing on the development of low-carbon building materials, circular technologies, and solutions supporting the climate transformation of the construction industry.
– This is not a typical investment carried out by the host sector, but at the same time it is an investment that will bring a great deal of benefits both to the region, the country, and Polish science. Research and Development Centres in such locations create space to promote innovation, while also fostering growth and cooperation between science and business – said Prof. Maria Mrówczyńska, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The project entitled “Development of innovative cements, binders and mineral additives for concrete with a reduced carbon footprint, and the expansion of a Research and Development Centre dedicated to innovation development”, carried out by Holcim Polska, received support from the National Centre for Research and Development using European Union funds under the European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) programme. The funding covers both research work on new low-carbon building material technologies and the development of research infrastructure. Thanks to the support of European Funds, it will be possible to accelerate the development of technologies reducing CO₂ emissions, increase the use of recycled raw materials, and strengthen cooperation between science and industry for sustainable construction.
– Holcim Polska’s project is further proof of the effectiveness of the SMART Path, one of the most important instruments under the European Funds for a Modern Economy programme. FENG supports the entire research, development and innovation process, and therefore enhances the innovativeness of enterprises at every stage of development. Thanks to this programme, our economy benefits from new technologies and digital and green solutions that help protect our natural resources – said Magdalena Kołodziejska, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Research and Development.
Under the SMART Path call, the project received more than PLN 13 million in EU funding, while its total value amounts to nearly PLN 35 million.
– We believe that this time, thanks to the efforts of innovators, more than PLN 13 million in funding, and good cooperation with the National Centre for Research and Development, we will soon not only admire a fully operational Research and Development Centre, but also witness the creation of further innovative technologies related to cements, binders and mineral additives for low-carbon concrete. Without these elements, it is hard to imagine the construction industry of the future – added Magdalena Kołodziejska.
Kujawy as a centre of construction innovation
The new Research and Development Centre will be a space integrating scientific research, technology development, and cooperation with business partners and the academic community. Its operations will be organised around three complementary areas that together will create an ecosystem supporting the development of innovative solutions for modern construction.
– The construction of the Research and Development Centre at the Kujawy Cement Plant shows that Polish industry is increasingly not only adapting technologies, but also creating and developing them. We are carrying out projects in Poland that fit into the European transformation of construction towards climate neutrality. By integrating scientific potential with the operational experience of our plants, we are building a lasting competitive advantage for the Polish economy. Kujawy is becoming a place where solutions are created that can set the direction of development for the entire Central and Eastern European region – emphasizes Maciej Sypek, CEO of Holcim Polska.
The first of these areas will be an innovation incubator, an advanced research space where teams of scientists and engineers will develop sustainable materials and construction solutions, thereby contributing to the decarbonisation of construction.
The second pillar will be a training and demonstration centre, where Holcim will share knowledge with clients and business partners. It will also be a space for demonstrating Holcim’s innovative sustainable materials and construction solutions, as well as their practical applications in the building industry.
The third area will be a research centre, which will become a platform for cooperation with universities, scientific institutions, and technology units. Its role will be to support knowledge exchange, conduct educational activities, and develop new research directions in the field of modern building materials and low-carbon technologies.
The centre’s activities will focus on the key strategic priorities of the Holcim Group, including the development of innovative products, deep decarbonisation of production processes, and the implementation of circular economy principles. Among other things, technologies enabling the maximum use of recycled raw materials in construction materials will be developed. These solutions are of major importance for achieving climate goals and implementing the Net Zero strategy.
– Today’s economy builds its competitiveness on the foundation of innovation, and research and development are at the heart of these changes. Our centre in Kujawy is a clear declaration that Polish science and industry can jointly set global standards in decarbonisation and circularity. We want this place to become a platform for open innovation, where the rigour of scientific methodology meets the dynamism of industrial implementation – says Magdalena Dobiszewska, Director of Science, Research and Development at Holcim Polska.
An investment in the future of sustainable construction
The establishment of the Research and Development Centre is the next stage in the implementation of Holcim Polska’s strategy, which aims to develop modern building materials supporting the creation of sustainable cities and environmentally friendly infrastructure. The new research infrastructure will enable advanced R&D projects, the development of technologies reducing CO₂ emissions, and the further strengthening of Poland’s position as one of the important innovation hubs in the European building materials industry.
The total cost of the project, which in addition to the construction of the Research and Development Centre also includes research and development work, amounts to PLN 34,976,736.92, while the contribution from European Funds reaches PLN 13,355,215.54. The project will be completed by 31 December 2027. The expanded Research and Development Centre in Kujawy will become the most modern laboratory and training centre in the Holcim Group.
