CONCRETE DEVELOPED TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

Published: October 29, 2025

• PHOTOKRETE is the company that emerged from the pioneering European project MIRACLE, led by CFM, which develops more sustainable building materials with high thermal efficiency against heat

• This technology has been designed to be integrated into pavements, rooftops, and facades, thereby reducing the heat island effect in cities

Watch video of the project HERE

Photokrete, a Knowledge-Based Company of the CFM, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), and the University of the Basque Country (EHU), has developed a photonic mortar with radioactive properties, a cementitious technology capable of passively reflecting and radiating solar heat. This development could be used in pavements, rooftops, and facades to reduce energy consumption in cities.

Jorge Sánchez- Dolado (second form the left) and his team at CFM

This cement is based on the use of principles of optics and materials physics, which optimize the reflection of solar radiation to reduce heat accumulation in urban environments. Specifically, it is capable of effectively reflecting solar radiation, radiating accumulated heat into space, and thus mitigating the urban heat island effect. Its impact on energy savings for cooling is enormous, and it is ready for industrialization, with a production process compatible with that of the cement industry and a competitive market price.
“This technology is designed for application in densely populated environments, where heat accumulates and sun exposure is greater. Specifically, it is capable of reducing the urban temperature by up to 12°C during a heatwave, thereby improving thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption,” says María Saiz, CEO of PhotoKrete.

This innovation has been verified within the framework of the European Horizon 2020 MIRACLE project, led by Jorge Sánchez Dolado (CFM-CSIC) and Miguel Beruete (UPNA), and validated in the following real-world environments: the roof of the Materials Physics Center (CSIC–UPV/EHU) in San Sebastián, the Tabernas Desert (Almería) under extreme conditions, and Tecnalia’s KUBIK demonstration building (Derio, Bizkaia).

In all cases, the material reduced the surface temperature by up to 30°C–40°C compared to conventional concrete, improving thermal comfort, reducing the use of air conditioning, and mitigating urban heat.
PhotoKrete was born from the knowledge generated in leading institutions in materials physics, photonics, and sustainability, and is a prominent example of deep tech emerging from the public R&D system to transform the construction sector, especially in the current urban and climatic context.

In recognition of this innovation, PhotoKrete has been awarded the Construction Tech Startup Forum prize at REBUILD 2025 for offering a photonic, passive, and scalable solution to combat the heat island effect and climate change.