Founded in 2024, this NovaUCD-based startup uses waste materials to create an environmentally friendly, scientific alternative to traditional concrete.
Concrete is one of the most widely used and reliable building materials in the world, used since ancient Greece and Rome.
But although the material forms a large part of the modern world’s infrastructure, its production – like many traditional building materials – also has a significant impact on the environment. In fact, it is estimated that concrete is responsible for 4-8pc of global CO2 emissions.
One company that aims to provide an eco-friendly alternative to our latest Startup of the Week – SlateRete.
Founded in 2024, SlateRete is a NovaUCD-based startup that has developed a solution that transforms slate waste into a sustainable and “efficient” building material, with a greater focus on attractive 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 paint and reduces emissions of raw materials.
The startup is targeting three areas of innovation with its product: environmental impact, materials science and design.
“Unlike conventional concrete, which relies on carbon-footprint materials such as cement, sand, limestone and granite, SlateRete reuses slate waste, reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity,” said Hamed Panahiazar, who founded the startup with his brother Sadegh.
“SlateRete’s ultimate goal is to revolutionize the global construction materials industry by replacing environmentally damaging concrete products with a sustainable, waste-based, high-value alternative that works just as well – if not better – than traditional options.”
Product
Panahiazar, a senior project manager in the construction industry with more than 10 years of experience, tells SiliconRepublic.com that the startup focuses on helping the construction industry adopt green solutions by providing “an alternative that meets regulatory requirements and market needs without compromising performance or cost”.
According to Panahiazar, SlateRete uses patent-pending technology to replace the main components of traditional concrete, cement, sand, and stolen aggregates with 75pc or more of slate waste, “significantly reducing the product’s carbon footprint and environmental impact”.
The SlateRete mix, he explains, has been carefully designed through extensive laboratory research carried out at University College Dublin (UCD).
“This process involves adding concrete ingredients with a specific mixture of slate waste, to improve particle separation and water absorption to maintain performance and strength,” he said. “The mix design also incorporates blast furnace slag to reduce cementation, improve resistance to chemical attack and improve long-term durability.
“During the initial development, a lot of research was done to increase strength, durability and color stability,” he adds. “Tests have confirmed that SlateRete achieves high compressive strength (strength class C25/30) and strong resistance to snow melting, comparable or superior to conventional concrete.”
Panahiazar also says that SlateRete’s mix goes beyond the color processes used in concrete production.
“Unlike conventional concrete, which relies on chemical additives for color and performance, SlateRete’s colors (blue, green, grey, ochre, purple and black) come naturally from the mineral composition of slate,” he says. “This eliminates the use of artificial dyes and additives that often pollute and add to the environmental burden.”
How is it going
The biggest challenge SlateRete has faced so far, according to Panahiazar, is balancing technology validation with strategic fundraising and market readiness.
“Developing a deep, resource-based technology requires significant certification, testing and regulatory planning, all while being branded for investment,” he says. “Furthermore, attracting investors who understand the long-term potential of sustainable construction, beyond short-term returns, requires a precise alignment of our science and our business model.
“However, these challenges have strengthened our strategic discipline, clarified our value proposition, and ensured that we are targeting investors and partners that align with our long-term vision of global sustainability and profitability.”
Panahiazar says the SlateRete product underwent more than 20 mix tests and extensive characterization in the UCD laboratory, leading to a validated prototype.
“Other developments include life cycle analysis, environmental product declarations and certification tests for applications such as paving, covering, flooring and furniture.”
Currently, the startup is in the “focused phase” of business development and attracting investors, according to Panahiazar.
“After the successful validation of the technology at UCD, our efforts are focused on preparing investment materials, preparing our platform and exploring strategic partnerships,” he said, adding that the company is negotiating with potential investors for seed, seed and initial funding rounds.
“Along with this, we are building relationships in Europe and the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]where strong construction growth is matched by our offering of sustainable materials. The response from industry stakeholders has been encouraging, reaffirming the market’s desire for low carbon and better alternatives to concrete.”
Don’t miss out on the information you need to succeed. Sign up for Daily BriefSilicon Republic’s digest of must-know sci-tech news.
