Co-reactive raises €6.5M seed funding for CO₂-negative materials tech

German climatetech startup Co-reactive has secured €6.5 million in seed funding, signaling a significant advancement in CO₂-negative materials. This investment, led by HTGF with participation from NRW.Bank, HBG Ventures, AFI Ventures, and other climate-tech investors, underscores the growing importance of sustainable solutions within the European tech landscape. The funding also includes public support from German federal programs, highlighting a coordinated effort to foster climate innovation. Co-reactive's core technology involves a continuous CO₂ mineralization process. This innovative method transforms captured carbon dioxide and readily available minerals like olivine or metallurgical slags into supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). These SCMs can substantially reduce the clinker content in cement, thereby lowering associated emissions while potentially enhancing material strength and durability. The system is designed as a seamless "drop-in" solution, allowing for easy integration into existing cement and construction material production lines. This breakthrough directly addresses the significant environmental impact of the cement industry, which accounts for approximately eight percent of global CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, it offers a viable alternative to conventional cement substitutes facing increasing scarcity due to the coal phase-out and shifts in the steel industry. Co-reactive's strategy involves close collaboration across the value chain, working with CO₂ and raw material suppliers, cement and concrete producers, and certification bodies to move from pilot projects to industrial-scale operations. The company aims to establish plants with capacities ranging from 100 to 300 kilotons, with plans to mineralize CO₂ streams directly at cement and steel production sites from 2027 onwards.