Driving Value Through Innovation
Driving Value Through Innovation
Driving innovation from ideation to commercialization
At CRH, our ability to replicate and scale our innovation and technical expertise across multiple geographies unlocks tremendous opportunity for further growth and is critical to achieving our vision to develop sustainable solutions that build, connect and improve our world.
Our open innovation model harnesses the strength of our own internal research and development with the power of external partnerships and ventures, ensuring we stay ahead by staying connected.
Our innovation focus areas
Water | Circularity | Decarbonization | Productivity
JURA ECO3 Cement
Developed by Jura Cement, a CRH company, ECO3 is a low-carbon cement made with calcined clay. It reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 20% compared to traditional cement.
Carbon Upcycling Technologies
CRH is working with Carbon Upcycling Technologies to deploy a commercial carbon capture and utilization facility at Ash Grove’s Mississauga plant. The technology transforms CO₂ and low-value mineral feedstocks into high-performance supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), reducing clinker use and emissions.
CRH Ventures Accelerator Programs
CRH Ventures has run multiple targeted accelerator programs to support startups in focus areas such as water solutions, roads of the future and sustainable building materials. These initiatives provide funding, pilot opportunities, and access to CRH’s global network to scale impactful innovations.
Danucem White Cement
Danucem’s Rohožník White cement is a premium product used in iconic architectural projects across Europe. To reduce costs and emissions, the team innovated by using blast furnace slag and bio-based fuels, achieving significant cost savings and cutting 60,000 tonnes of CO₂.
FIDO AI
FIDO AI uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence to detect and size hidden water leaks, helping utilities and businesses conserve water and reduce costs. Oldcastle Infrastructure Products Group (IPG) is actively deploying FIDO’s technology across North America as part of its digital water strategy. Through this partnership, Oldcastle integrates FIDO’s leak detection capabilities into its infrastructure offerings, enabling utilities to make faster, data-driven decisions and improve water stewardship at scale.
Leviat Highly Automated Lifting (HAL) using AI
Leviat’s Project HAL uses AI to automate lifting anchor placement for precast concrete panels. Trained on a decade of engineering data, the system delivers faster, more accurate calculations—reducing reliance on external engineers and increasing output. HAL has already supported over 12 CRH projects.
Oldcastle APG 3D Printing Mortar
Oldcastle APG has developed Amerimix 300, a high-performance mortar for 3D printed housing. Used in prototype homes in Texas, the mortar enables faster, more durable construction using contour crafting. The team is scaling production and exploring sustainable formulations to position CRH as a key partner in the future of 3D printed construction.
SPOT the Robot Dog (Boston Dynamics)
SPOT, the agile robot dog from Boston Dynamics, is deployed by CRH to enhance site inspections and safety. Equipped with advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities, SPOT navigates complex environments to collect data, reduce human exposure to hazards, and improve operational efficiency.
Powering transformation through global partnerships
At CRH, strategic partnerships are central to how we scale innovation and accelerate progress toward a more resilient built environment. By collaborating with like-minded organizations across the value chain, we’re unlocking cutting-edge technologies and pioneering solutions that help solve some of our industry’s most pressing challenges within construction and transportation. These partnerships demonstrate our ability to deploy innovation at scale – whether through electrified equipment, smart infrastructure, or collaborative research & development. With over 65 active strategic partnerships across our global markets, we are building a connected ecosystem that drives transformation in how we build, move, and power the world.
CRH & Caterpillar: electrifying the future of heavy equipment
CRH has partnered with Caterpillar to accelerate the deployment of battery-electric off-highway trucks and charging solutions across our operations in North America. As the first aggregates producer to join Caterpillar’s Early Learner program, CRH is helping test and validate 70–100-ton-class electric trucks in real-world conditions. By combining Caterpillar’s engineering expertise with CRH’s operational scale, we’re advancing sustainable equipment innovation with the ambition to reshape the future of construction and quarrying.
Advancing equipment innovation with Volvo Group
CRH and Volvo Group have partnered to accelerate the development of innovative, lower-carbon solutions through next-generation equipment and logistics solutions. This strategic collaboration spans on-road and off-road vehicles, electrification, charging infrastructure and lower-carbon fuels. Together, we’re piloting electric trucks and machinery across CRH sites and scaling deployment across Europe.
CRH & ASPIRE: advancing sustainable infrastructure together
CRH is proud to partner with the Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE) Engineering Research Center, a National Science Foundation-funded initiative headquartered at Utah State University. As a member of ASPIRE’s Industry and Innovation Board, CRH brings global expertise in building materials to support pioneering research in electrified transportation. Together, we’re exploring the development of resilient, lower-carbon infrastructure – such as wireless charging roadways – that support the seamless electrification of vehicles.
CRH Ventures
CRH Ventures is CRH’s corporate venture capital arm, committed to investing in and partnering with leading-edge startups that are redefining the future of construction. What makes CRH Ventures unique is our ability to harness our unrivaled size and scale, broad market reach and operational expertise to accelerate growth. To date, we’ve built a strong portfolio of innovative companies and successfully completed three accelerator programs, reinforcing our commitment to fostering early-stage innovation and scalable growth.
Our Innovation Fund
Our Innovation Fund incubates high-value innovation, enabling our operating companies and functions to develop novel ideas, leverage emerging technologies and bring transformative solutions to the market. To date, our Innovation Fund has catalyzed over 75 high-impact projects, accelerating sustainable, scalable solutions for the construction industry.
Our Innovation Team
Our Innovation Team is a strategic network of engineers, chemists, geologists, industrial designers and laboratory technicians across the breadth of the markets where we operate. We identify emerging trends, accelerate colaboration across our group and help turn ideas into practical, scalable solutions. Our state-of-the-art facilities support product design, testing and optimization, partnering with our operating companies to deliver what works, where it matters.