The Mayor of Nord-Odal, Odd Kjetil Østvand-Sløtte, together with Mapei’s R&D Manager for Construction, Kine Jonassen, marked the start of construction for the new research center by taking the first symbolic shovel of soil.
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Mapei celebrated the commencement of construction for a new research center for sustainable concrete technology. The event was highlighted by the first groundbreaking ceremony led by Nord-Odal's Mayor, Odd Kjetil Østvand-Sløtte, and Mapei’s R&D Manager for Construction, Kine Jonassen.
The new research center will be an extension of Mapei’s existing research facilities at its site in Sand, Nord-Odal, and is expected to be completed in 2025. Naturally, the center will utilize Mapei's sustainable construction products, including concrete admixtures for low-carbon concrete, concrete with 100% recycled aggregates, and environmentally friendly flooring solutions from the Mapefloor Comfort series.
Mapei’s research center for sustainable concrete technology will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from concrete and mortar products. The goal is to cut over 450,000 tons of CO₂ emissions by 2030, equivalent to 7.5% of the required emission cuts for mainland Norway's industry. To achieve this, it will be necessary to go beyond product development and emphasize collaboration across the entire value chain.
With a total investment of 127 million NOK, of which 26.4 million NOK comes from Innovation Norway, Mapei will establish a research center that is not just a laboratory but the heart of sustainable concrete innovation – both nationally and internationally. The center will serve as Mapei’s international hub for developing circular and sustainable solutions.
Background of the Project
Mapei, a global leader in cement additives and concrete admixtures, is establishing a new research center for sustainable concrete technology in Nord-Odal, supported by 26.4 million NOK from Innovation Norway. The project, launched on November 14, 2023, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in attendance, aims to reduce over 450,000 tons of CO₂ by 2030, corresponding to 7.5% of Norway's mainland industry’s required emission cuts.
The research center marks a milestone for both national innovation and Mapei’s international ambitions. The technology developed here will contribute to global climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from concrete, which currently account for 7-9% of the world’s total emissions.
With a total investment of 127 million NOK, the center will serve as a key arena for developing circular and sustainable solutions. Mapei invites partners such as SINTEF, NTNU, and other players across the value chain to collaborate on this project. This initiative is not only a technological leap but also a commitment to a sustainable future, both nationally and internationally.
Mapei’s investment is more than a technological advancement; it represents a promise of responsible stewardship of our planet. We look forward to a future where sustainable concrete is no longer just a vision but a reality.
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