Founded in 2024, this NovaUCD-based start-up uses science to develop an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete using waste materials.
Concrete is one of the most popularly used and reliable construction materials in the world, with use dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome.
But while the material forms a considerable portion of the modern world’s infrastructure, its production – like many traditional construction materials – also has a considerable impact on the environment. In fact, it’s estimated that concrete is responsible for 4-8pc of global CO2 emissions.
One company that’s intent on providing an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete is our latest Start-up of the Week – SlateRete.
Founded in 2024, SlateRete is a NovaUCD-based start-up that has developed a solution that transforms slate waste into a sustainable and “high-performing” construction material, with an additional focus on visually appealing aesthetics.
SlateRete does this by replacing high-carbon concrete ingredients with slate waste, which it claims reduces CO2 emissions by more than 40pc, eliminates the need for pigments and minimises virgin material extraction.
The start-up is targeting three areas of innovation with its product: environmental impact, materials science and design.
“Unlike conventional concrete, which relies on high-carbon-footprint materials like cement, sand, limestone and granite, SlateRete repurposes slate waste, reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity,” says Hamed Panahiazar, who co-founded the start-up with his brother Sadegh.
“The ultimate goal of SlateRete is to transform the global construction materials industry by replacing environmentally damaging concrete products with a sustainable, waste-made, high-value alternative that performs just as well – if not better – than traditional options.”
The product
Panahiazar, a senior project manager in the construction industry with more than 10 years of experience, tells SiliconRepublic.com that the start-up is focused on assisting the construction industry in adopting greener solutions by providing an “alternative that meets regulatory demands and market needs without compromising performance or cost”.
According to Panahiazar, SlateRete uses a patent-pending technology to replace the main components of traditional concrete, cement, sand, and quarried aggregates, with 75pc or more slate waste, “significantly reducing the product’s carbon footprint and environmental impact”.
The SlateRete mix, he explains, is carefully engineered through extensive laboratory research conducted at University College Dublin (UCD).
“The process involves substituting concrete ingredients with certain mix of slate waste, optimising particle gradation and water absorption to maintain workability and strength,” he says. “The mix design also integrates ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) to reduce cement content, improve resistance to chemical attack and enhance long-term durability.
“During the initial development, multiple investigations were performed to optimise strength, durability and colour stability,” he adds. “Tests confirmed that SlateRete achieves high compressive strength (strength class C25/30) and exceptional freeze–thaw resistance, comparable or superior to standard concrete.”
Panahiazar also claims that the SlateRete mix bypasses the coloration processes used in concrete production.
“Unlike conventional concrete, which relies on chemical additives for coloration and performance, SlateRete’s colours (blue, green, grey, ochre, purple and black) arise naturally from the mineral composition of slate,” he says. “This eliminates the use of synthetic dyes and additives that typically fade and add environmental burden.”
How it’s going
The main challenge SlateRete has experienced so far, according to Panahiazar, has been balancing technical validation with strategic fundraising and market readiness.
“Developing a deep-tech, materials-based innovation requires significant certification, testing and regulatory alignment, all while positioning the brand for investment,” he says. “In addition, attracting investors who understand the long-term potential of sustainable construction, beyond short-term returns, has required precise communication of both our science and our business model.
“However, these challenges have strengthened our strategic discipline, clarified our value proposition, and ensured that we target investors and partners aligned with our long-term vision of global sustainability and profitability.”
Panahiazar says SlateRete’s product has undergone more than 20 mix trials and extensive laboratory characterisation at UCD, leading to a validated prototype.
“Further development includes life cycle analysis, environmental product declarations and certification testing for applications such as paving, cladding, flooring and furniture.”
Currently, the start-up is in a “focused phase” of business development and investor engagement, according to Panahiazar.
“Following successful technical validation at UCD, our efforts are concentrated on preparing investment materials, refining our pitch and evaluating strategic partnerships,” he says, adding that the company is in discussion with potential investors for pre-seed, seed and first funding rounds.
“Parallel to this, we are building relationships in both Europe and the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council], where strong construction growth aligns with our sustainable materials offering. The response from industry stakeholders has been encouraging, reaffirming the market’s appetite for low-carbon and aesthetically superior alternatives to concrete.”
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