Biomason, Revolutionizing the Cement and Concrete Industry presented by Camilo Restrepo, CEO, Biomason
Biomason, a biotech building materials company, harnesses biology to produce high quality concrete, replace 100% of Portland cement, and cut carbon emissions. Carbon is put to work in the formation of calcium carbonate crystals that bind together aggregate particles, forming a biocement-based concrete. Enzymatic processes from microorganisms replace the need for high energy, eliminating direct emissions. The result is concrete that sequesters carbon.
Biomason is industrially producing and selling its first product, a concrete tile, at the world’s first biocement factory in Denmark. This product, which has been installed in various projects in the US and Europe, is consistently meeting performance standards. A factory expansion project is currently finalizing construction to meet product demand. This expansion will take the plant to 8k, then 50k and then 100k m2 in 2026.
Additional products, including pavers and larger precast products, have been produced and have great performance and Biomason has a roadmap toward ready-mix later in the decade. Biomason tiles perform at or above 4000 psi (27.6 MPa) compressive and 580 psi (4Mpa) flex.
About the Speaker
Camilo is a proven strategic and collaborative leader, with a proven track record of driving performance at the intersection of manufacturing and innovation in the cement and concrete industry. Camilo has been Biomason’s CEO for the past year and driven the continued path to performance of the technology and industrialization and commercialization for the company.
Previously he was president for the Cement Business Unit at Argos USA, VP for Central America and Caribbean and Innovation VP, among other positions, where he had a career of over 19 years. He has a wealth of experience in taking innovation to successful market commercialization in the building materials industry, as well as entry to new markets. He has led large-scale, multi geography businesses in both developed and developing countries, always with clients’ insights and understanding in mind. His experience in R&D, innovation and sustainability bring an insightful perspective to business development and go to market. Camilo’s purpose of driving sustainability in the industry aligns perfectly with Biomason leading the global transition to planet friendly construction through revolutionizing the industry with Biocement.
Decarbonizing the cement and concrete industries with science, engineering and clays – Franco Zunino, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley
Concrete is the backbone of modern construction, but portland cement production accounts for about 8% of global CO2 emissions. To reduce this impact, cement substitutes like fly ash, slag, and pozzolans have been adopted, though their availability is declining.
Limestone calcined clay cements (LC3) offer a promising alternative, replacing over 50% of clinker with limestone and calcined kaolinitic clays. Understanding LC3’s chemical mechanisms is key to optimizing its performance. Reactions involving metakaolin and calcium hydroxide form C-A-S-H and carboaluminates, improving strength and durability while reducing porosity. Advanced techniques like solid-state NMR help reveal these processes.
Optimizing concrete mix design further minimizes cement use, complementing innovations in cement chemistry. Together, these strategies reduce the environmental footprint of construction and drive sustainable advancements in concrete technology.
About the Speaker
Franco Zunino is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley. His research revolves around the development of novel, environmental friendly cementitious materials with a fundamental scientific approach. Among his interests are advanced, time-resolved characterization methods of cement hydration, interaction of surfaces with polymers in cement paste, microstructural analysis through electron microscopy and optimization of the production process of clinker and supplementary cementitious materials.
His doctoral thesis was recognized in 2021 with the Nanocem 2020 prize, awarded to the best thesis in the field of cement and concrete science worldwide by a panel of international experts. In 2022, he received the Wason Medal, awarded by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) to the most meritorious paper published in 2021 in their journals. In 2023, he was recognized by RILEM with the Colonnetti Medal for his outstanding contributions to the fields of construction materials and structures.
FLSmidth Cement – Pfister Feeding and Dosing Technologies will be presented by Dennis Kearn, Sales Specialist FLSmidth Cement USA
With a focus on right dosing and feeding technology for cementitious materials and maximising clinker substitution while decreasing production costs and reducing energy consumption without compromising cement quality.
About the Speaker
Dennis Kearn is a seasoned professional with six years of dedicated experience in the field of dosing, weighing, and feeding specializing in the advancement of bulk solids handling technologies. Currently serving as a Sales Specialist at FLSmidth Cement USA, Inc., he has demonstrated a deep commitment to technical and engineered solutions sales.
Prior to his role at FLSmidth, Dennis served as a Sales Engineer/Business Development Manager at Clyde Bergemann Power Group. This previous experience solidified his expertise in bulk solids handling, pneumatic conveying, and filtration systems, directly contributing to his effectiveness in his current position. His extensive knowledge of these systems benefits both the company and the clients they serve, allowing for tailored solutions that address the unique challenges in the industry
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If you want to join our 2025 events as speakers or exhibitors please reach out to Mariana Gheorghe, Program and Marketing Manager at mariana.gheorghe@industrylink.eu.
Find out more about the future of building sustainably. Discover the latest in cement industry innovations, best practices, and decarbonization efforts at our upcoming events – join us to shape a greener world!
Dive into our calendar of events, featuring CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition: Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials 2025 taking place in October in Bucharest, Romania; Women in CemCo International Congress Americas 2025, taking place in April in Atlanta, USA and
Women in CemCo International Congress EMEA 2025, taking place in October in Bucharest, Romania; Cementitious Materials International Congress Americas 2025, taking place in April in Atlanta, USA and Cementitious Materials International Congress EMEA 2025, taking place in June in Cairo, Egypt; and Sustainability and ESG International Summit 2025 taking place in June in Cairo, Egypt.
Email us at contact@industrylink.eu for program brochures and registration details.
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