Smart technology from Converge helps prevent concrete waste

One of the world’s most widely used construction materials, concrete is a mixture of water, aggregates, and cement. Unfortunately, it also has a substantial impact on the environment, as production is energy-intensive and a major source of carbon emissions. That’s why this global industry is racing to find smarter, greener ways to use it. The ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund recently backed Converge, whose AI-powered solutions help the construction sector use concrete more efficiently. “They’re seeing concrete waste fall by as much as 30%,” reports Chiara Tonin, who works as an investment associate with the fund.

Potential impact

“The construction sector will continue to use concrete, the question is how we can do it smarter and better,” says Gaetano Giuffre, Investment Manager with the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund. Both innovative and practical, the technology developed by Converge directly helps to decarbonise the built environment. At current production levels, the cement industry accounts for 7% of the world’s total carbon emissions, which is why the potential sustainable impact is so great.

Gaetano says, “By embedding sensors in freshly poured concrete, Converge’s system can indicate precisely when a pour has reached its target compressive strength.” That means crews save time and avoid waste – no more dumping new pours when tests show the concrete hasn’t fully cured. Information about strength can also help prevent accidents resulting from weak construction. Today the technology developed by Converge is deployed in infrastructure projects all over the world, including a new landmark bridge in Scotland.

Scottish bridge with smart sensors

Converge recently collaborated with construction firm BAM to build a connecting bridge with 60 segments near the Scottish city of Perth. On-site trials were carried out using Converge thermal monitoring sensors to provide engineers 80 km away with live updates on the concrete’s temperature and strength development. The result? Significantly less concrete was used, leading to fewer carbon emissions. And the bridge opened days ahead of schedule, cutting equipment rental and other costs.

Optimising every mix with AI

Over hundreds of projects, Converge has built a vast database of materials and application data. “Live sensor data and a smart AI algorithm grounded in the principles of physics are used to accurately predict the ideal concrete mix for each structure and location,” Gaetano explains. Since every site is different and raw materials can vary, concrete mixes always need to be tweaked. Chiara adds, “The software even helps to incorporate used concrete in new batches. It also helps to find the best possible mix in order to reduce environmental impact and meet performance criteria. There are two advantages to this approach: cost savings for contractors and a much smaller ecological footprint.”

Closing the loop on concrete waste

“Converge’s solutions show how digitalisation can deliver both sustainability and commercial value, even in a traditionally low-tech sector like construction,” says Gaetano. In fact, it’s the combination of a quick payback and clear environmental benefits that appeals to the industry. Chiara says, “The services provided by Converge also support initiatives like the Betonakkoord (Concrete Agreement). This sector-wide agreement, also backed by ABN AMRO, commits the industry to reuse concrete waste from construction and demolition and to cut carbon emissions significantly by 2030.

International growth

With its investment, ABN AMRO aims to further accelerate Converge’s growth. “Increased growth means these sustainability benefits will reach more projects,” says Chiara. Converge is part of ABN AMRO’s Sustainable Impact Fund portfolio. Through the fund, the bank has invested a total of € 500 million in growing European companies to make a positive, scalable impact on people and the planet. They include other construction companies like the circular concrete producer Urban Mine.

Converge is investing the capital in product development and scaling up the organisation to continue to grow internationally. Gaetano says, “Converge is already expanding rapidly across Europe, the US and the Middle East.”

Utilising our network

“As an investor, we offer these companies more than just growth capital,” Gaetano emphasises. “We also provide strategic guidance and access to our network.” The bank’s expertise helps the companies we invest in scale up responsibly and make an even greater impact. Chiara concludes, “Together with our co-investors in the company, we’re defining ambitious targets to boost impact. Converge is a good example of how innovation can drive the transition to a more sustainable society.”