Can the construction sector go zero emissions? An EIC podcast explores the claim
- ›The European Innovation Council published episode 4 of its podcast series asking whether a zero-emissions construction sector is achievable.
- ›The episode features Franc Mouwen, EIC Programme Manager for architecture engineering and construction, and Adital Ela, CEO of Criaterra, an EIC-supported company working on low-carbon construction products.
- ›The construction sector is highlighted as responsible for about 10 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and faces both technological and systemic barriers to decarbonisation.
- ›The EIC supports deep-tech solutions through programme managers, funding instruments and business acceleration services, but scaling construction technologies faces market fragmentation, standards and financing hurdles.
A zero-emissions construction sector Is it achievable?
The European Innovation Council released the fourth instalment of its podcast series 'The game changers: from radical idea to innovative business' on 27 January 2023. This episode focuses on the construction industry and asks whether it can become zero emissions. The show brings together an EIC programme manager who steers the agency's construction portfolio and an entrepreneur whose company is developing lower carbon materials.
Episode and guests
Episode 4 positions the construction sector as a priority for decarbonisation, noting the industry accounts for roughly 10 percent of carbon dioxide emissions according to the podcast introduction. The guests are Franc Mouwen, the EIC Programme Manager for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, and Adital Ela, Founder and CEO of Criaterra Earth Technologies. The episode is presented as a deep dive into the challenges of moving construction toward greener, sustainable practices while retaining product quality and commercial viability.
Why the construction sector matters for climate policy
The construction industry contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions through the production and use of materials and through energy consumed in buildings. The podcast emphasises this urgency and frames construction as a sector where technological innovation and systemic change can have significant climate impacts. That framing is consistent with EU priorities that treat the built environment as central to meeting climate targets, but the path to near zero emissions is complex and spans materials, processes, regulation and market incentives.
Technologies and approaches discussed or implied
The podcast foregrounds low-carbon product development as a core route to reducing the sector’s footprint. In addition to material innovation, broader strategies show up in discussions about construction decarbonisation. These include circular economy practices, prefabrication to reduce waste, digital tools for design and optimisation, and new business models that change procurement and asset management.
Barriers the podcast and broader sector face
Moving from low-carbon prototypes to widespread use faces multiple obstacles. These include fragmented industry structures with many small firms, conservative procurement and regulation, lack of harmonised standards and certification for new materials, scale-up costs, raw material supply constraints and the inertia of existing built assets that will remain in use for decades. The podcast highlights innovation and product development but does not eliminate the broader systemic friction that slows adoption.
How the EIC can influence change and what support it offers
The podcast showcases the EIC’s role in supporting deep-tech innovators in construction through programme management, targeted funding schemes and business acceleration. EIC Programme Managers such as Franc Mouwen combine technology scouting, portfolio building and brokerage to help promising projects access funding, coaching and investor networks. That support is useful but not sufficient on its own to solve the structural bottlenecks of the sector.
| EIC instrument | Primary purpose | Relevance to construction innovators |
| EIC Pathfinder | Support for early-stage breakthrough research | Funds blue-sky material science or process innovation that could lower embodied carbon |
| EIC Accelerator | Support for market-readiness and scale-up including grants and equity | Helps firms commercialise low-carbon products and attract follow-on investment |
| Business Acceleration Services and Coaches | Coaching, mentoring and access to networks | Assists founders with go-to-market strategies, investor pitches and partnerships |
| EIC Fund / co-investment | Equity investments and co-investment to scale companies | Provides growth capital but requires matching with private investors to reach industrial scale |
The guests in context
Franc Mouwen is identified as the EIC Programme Manager for architecture engineering and construction. His profile notes a technical background in mechanical engineering, experience with tunnelling systems, an MBA and a track record in climate-focused startups. This background positions him to combine engineering knowledge with market and venture experience when steering EIC portfolios. Adital Ela is presented as founder and CEO of Criaterra Earth Technologies, described as an EIC-supported company seeking to introduce low-carbon construction products while maintaining quality.
The episode is framed as practical and promotional material for innovators and stakeholders who are considering EIC support. Listeners should find concrete observations about scaling deep-tech in construction but should also remain alert to the difference between proof of concept at pilot scale and system-wide emissions reductions at industrial scale.
What to listen for and what to watch next
The podcast is useful as a window into how the EIC frames construction decarbonisation and which actors it supports. If you listen, focus on the specific technological claims, the described evidence of performance and lifecycle benefits, and the described business and procurement pathways for adoption. Where possible, ask for independent lifecycle assessments and peer-reviewed data when claims are made about carbon reductions.
Beyond the single episode, achieving near zero emissions in construction will require aligned public policy, procurement rules that value low-carbon performance, harmonised standards for new materials, and scaled capital. The EIC can help catalyse early-stage technological change, but wider system coordination across regulators, industry and finance is essential to turn pilots into sectoral impact.
Where to find the episode and related information
The EIC published the episode on 27 January 2023 as part of its podcast series. The EIC website also hosts profiles of its Programme Managers and descriptions of funding instruments such as Pathfinder, Accelerator and the EIC Fund. For innovators considering EIC support, the podcast is an introductory resource but it should be followed by examination of specific calls, application guidance and technical evaluation criteria.