In 2024, artificial intelligence dominated Contech (construction technology) investments, claiming 37% of total funding and larger-than-average deal sizes. Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just generating buzz, it’s the cornerstone of evolution, reshaping the Contech investment landscape and propelling a pivotal shift in the digitalization of the construction industry. 

OPTIMITIVE has ridden the AI wave, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in processes across heavy-intensive industries—and construction is no exception. The Spanish company is now part of our investment portfolio, redefining real-time construction process optimization with analytics & visionary AI technology. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about this hot-off-the-press partnership! 

Press Release

Cemex Ventures invests in company pushing boundaries of real-time industrial process optimization with AI technology

Madrid, Spain. April 22, 2025. Cemex Ventures, Cemex’s corporate venture capital (CVC) and open innovation unit, announced today that it has executed an investment agreement with OPTIMITIVE, a Spanish company that provides high-tech solutions through advanced analytics & artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize efficiency and sustainability in processes within energy-intensive industries.

Founded in 2008, OPTIMITIVE has developed proprietary artificial intelligence software to enhance efficiency across heavy industries. It offers advanced solutions for process improvement, maintenance, and services, with a strong focus on the cement industry during the last years. The Spain-based company has developed one of the most far-reaching solutions on the market, featuring real-time and closed-loop process optimization—which means it can autonomously learn and adjust optimal set points in autopilot mode. Among its additional competitive advantages is its no-code visual design—which enables large-scale adoption without requiring specific AI expertise—and continuous operation—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. OPTIMITIVE is currently commercializing two main products: Optibat Studio – a tool for historical data analytics, modeling, and optimization used by process engineers – and Optibat RTO – a tool for real-time operation used by process operators.

“OPTIMITIVE has a robust customer base across a large number of sectors, making it an ideal partner that reinforces Cemex’s commitment to transforming the industry through collaboration with breakthrough technologies,” said Alfredo Carrato, Investment and Open Innovation at Cemex Ventures. “We are excited about this partnership with OPTIMITIVE, given the impressive results they have already achieved in Europe and the United States in projects to date with Cemex.”

“Since our first engagement with Cemex some years ago, we have always been confident that our relationship would be long-lasting. “Now, thanks to their strong technological vision and commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, they have chosen to continue supporting OPTIMITIVE through this investment”, commented Fernando de la Prida, CEO at OPTIMITIVE. “This decision reflects the high level of satisfaction among our clients and the competitive advantages that OPTIBAT brings to their operations.”

Cemex seeks to scale OPTIMITIVE’s solution across its operations as part of its Digital Innovation in Motion ecosystem, with the goal of agile large-scale deployments in the near future. By integrating this groundbreaking solution, the construction giant aims to significantly reduce energy consumption at its production facilities while simultaneously increasing (production) efficiency by up to double digit percentage points. Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in reducing Cemex’s operational carbon footprint, in line with the Future in Action program to become a net-zero CO₂ company. This collaboration is a clear example of how cutting-edge technologies are transforming the building materials sector of the future.

About OPTIMITIVE

OPTIMITIVE delivers advanced technology solutions for operational optimization through Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Their systems work in real-time, analyzing process data and recommending the most appropriate adjustments in each case to minimize energy consumption while improving production, quality, safety, and equipment health. OPTIMITIVE is rooted in Álava, Spain, and has expanded globally. They operate in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, with over 10 years of experience in process industries. For more information, please visit: https://optimitive.com/

About Cemex Ventures

Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through solutions that consider sustainability. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com

About Cemex

Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com

What does OPTIMITIVE do? 

OPTIMITIVE has developed proprietary artificial intelligence software efficiency in heavy industries, with a strong focus on the cement industry. The Spanish company offers one of the most comprehensive solutions on the market, featuring real-time, closed-loop process optimization –which means it can autonomously learn and adjust optimal set points in autopilot mode. One of its major competitive advantages is its no-code visual design, enabling large-scale adoption without requiring AI expertise, along with continuous, 24/7 year-round operation. 

These are OPTIMITIVE’s main products: 

• Optibat Studio: A tool that enables flexible and easy-to-setup autonomous AI optimization in a closed-loop system, used by process engineers for historical data analytics, modeling, and optimization, and designed for industrial companies aiming to enhance efficiency and sustainability. 

• Optibat RTO: A tool that uses AI to improve industrial processes and recommend optimum set-points in real-time, designed for real-time operation and used by process operators. 

Why has Cemex invested in OPTIMITIVE? 

As the open innovation arm of Cemex, we are committed to continuously seeking high-potential startups focused on enhancing sustainability and driving digital transformation in the building industry. With a strong emphasis on decarbonizing the built environment and promoting energy efficiency principles, Cemex Ventures is eager to collaborate with startups aligned with these objectives. OPTIMITIVE stands out as an ideal partner, offering cutting-edge technology and one of the most far-reaching solutions on the market, which has already delivered impressive results in projects across Europe and the United States with Cemex. 

Put simply: By integrating OPTIMITIVE’s solution, Cemex aims to significantly reduce energy consumption while simultaneously increasing production efficiency. 

But let’s dive a little bit deeper… 

How will OPTIMITIVE and Cemex help each other achieve their objectives? 

In this partnership, Cemex aims to take OPTIMTIVE’s technology to the next level, scaling its solutions across its operations and helping fulfill its mission of transforming industrial processes globally, making them more efficient and sustainable using AI, thus contributing to a better world to live in. 

Cemex helps OPTIMITIVE raise additional capital to fuel its growth while leveraging Cemex Ventures’ expertise in growth strategies and Cemex’s knowledge of construction and building materials. Through this partnership, Cemex aims to achieve agile, large-scale deployments of OPTIMITIVE’s solution in the near future. 

OPTIMITIVE helps Cemex through its robust presence across a wide range of sectors, reinforcing Cemex’s commitment to transforming the industry through collaboration with breakthrough technologies. 

This partnership is closely aligned with one of Cemex’s top priorities: Digital Innovation in Motion. By integrating its solution, the construction giant will reduce its energy consumption while simultaneously increasing production efficiency by up to double-digit percentage points. 

Moreover, this agreement is closely tied to Cemex’s strategic priority of Future in Action sustainability program, as energy efficiency plays a fundamental role in reducing Cemex’s operational carbon footprint on its path to becoming a net-zero CO₂ company. 

Who is OPTIMITIVE?

Founded in 2008, the Spain-based startup made its first steps with Cemex Ventures—although it had already worked with Cemex—appearing in the Top 50 Contech Startups & Cleantech Construction Map in 2024 under the Decarbonization Alternatives vertical. Now, in 2025, we’re betting on OPTIMITIVE through this investment. 

The Basque startup—present in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe—specializes in optimizing efficient services for businesses and serves clients in the cement, oil, and chemical industries, among other sectors. OPTIMITIVE has a… 

• Mission: They are committed to transforming heavy industry processes and contributing to a more sustainable and efficient world. 

• Vision: They envision a future where any complex system is complemented by an “Optimization Brain” that ensures its effective operation under all circumstances. 

What’s next? 

Like all our portfolio companies, we’ll keep you updated with all the news about OPTIMITIVE through our digital channels: blog, social media, and our Contech Tacos biweekly newsletter (we also send memes ). 

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is just one way the construction industry is transforming emissions into sustainable solutions. A game-changing innovator is reshaping the landscape of green construction and now has made its way into our investment portfolio to stay. Meet KC8. 

The Australian-based startup is driving sustainability innovation within the industry, paving the way towards a carbon-neutral future. With a team with more than 20 years of experience, KC8 has developed an unrivaled carbon capture solution.

Keep scrolling for a deep dive into KC8 & how our investment is making a significant impact in the construction industry! 

What – does KC8 do? 

KC8 Capture Technologies has developed an affordable carbon capture solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels in heavy industries. Their innovative solution is a direct response to the continuous increase in carbon pricing over time. As a result, industry processes that emit CO2 have an unprecedented chance to embrace KC8’s environmentally friendly carbon capture process, which not only aligns with their green objectives but also significantly reduces operational costs. 

To better understand its technology, it’s important to note that traditional solvents used in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) often pose environmental hazards. However, KC8 offers an unparalleled value proposition with its proprietary non-toxic, non-volatile solvent that has zero environmental impact. This has resulted in the safest and most tolerant solvent for CO2 removal available in today’s market.  

KC8’s cutting-edge technology enables up to 95% CO2 capture, enhances energy efficiency by 15%, and reduces overall operating costs by 50% for partners in heavy industries compared to conventional amine solvents.   

Why – invest in KC8? 

As the open innovation arm of Cemex, we are committed to continuously seeking out high-potential startups focused on green construction that enhance sustainability in the sector. With a focus on decarbonizing the built environment, advocating for circular economy principles, and embracing renewable energies, Cemex Ventures is keen to collaborate with startups aligned with these objectives. KC8 emerges as an ideal partner due to its CCUS technology, which acts as a pivotal tool in accelerating Cemex’s decarbonization efforts. 

Put simply: Cemex is partnering with KC8 to affordably reduce CO2 emissions originating from its production processes, advancing the construction industry’s journey towards CO2 neutrality. 

So, let’s dive a little bit deeper… 

How – will KC8 and Cemex help each other achieve their objectives? 

In this partnership, Cemex aims to take KC8’s technology to the next level in the largest project of its kind to date for the startup, helping it fulfill its mission of becoming the global leader in CO2 capture techniques. This agreement seeks to help KC8 with the following benefits: 

• Strategic investment: The startup obtains smart money for its ongoing development. 

• Supplier for one of the world’s biggest construction giants: Cemex Ventures seeks to foster the growth of the Australian startup by connecting it to Cemex’s extensive network and resources, aiming to forge synergies and foster startup-corporate collaboration. 

• Expertise & specialized knowledge: Leveraging Cemex Ventures’ expertise in growth strategies and the construction industry expertise of Cemex. 

However, the benefits of this collaboration are bidirectional – it’s a win-win! KC8’s disruptive clean technology has the potential to position Cemex as a leader in carbon capture in the construction industry. Cemex, by investing and partnering with this sustainable solution, intends to pilot its technology in one of its leading cement plants, to capture 100 tons per day of CO2, an ambition that is 10 times greater than the current project scopes. 

This partnership strengthens Cemex’s ambitious climate action goals outlined in its sustainability program, Future in Action, which aims to reduce Cemex’s carbon footprint in its production process by 2030 through its Innovation & Partnerships pillar. Also, this investment aligns with Cemex’s sustainability roadmap, pushing it closer to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions status by 2050. 

Who – is KC8? 

In 2021, KC8 Capture Technologies Ltd acquired UNO Technologies, a company with extensive experience, and subsequently changed its name. KC8 is an Australian-based startup that operates in Australia and the United States. The company is at the forefront of the Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage industry, spearheading efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in hard to abate industries.  

In 2023, KC8 was awarded funding through the ARPA-E Phase 2 Flexible Carbon Capture and Storage program by the United States Department of Energy (DoE). Also, it was featured in our Cleantech Construction Map 2023 under the CCUS vertical. In 2024, the startup was named a Top 50 Contech Startup for 2024, in the Green Construction focus area. 

KC8’s team has extended experience and a diverse background in the chemical and processing industries that has allowed them to take an innovative approach to the carbon capture problem: 

What is their mission? Their mission is to commercialize the low-cost and environmentally friendly CO2 capture processes that form the foundation of KC8’s technology. 

Their challenge is to address the growing climate change issue through their solution to lowering emissions across all sectors – both energy and industrial – around the world.  

What’s next?  

Like all our portfolio companies, we’ll keep you updated with all the news about KC8 through our digital channels: blog, social media: LinkedIn & X, and our biweekly Contech Tacos Newsletter. 

But if you’re an entrepreneur with a solution that’s addressing critical pain points in green construction (carbon tools, circular construction, CCUS, sustainable materials, alternative fuels, and more!), we invite you to contact us! 

Press release

Cemex Ventures invests in acclaimed CCUS startup to become front runners in carbon capture 

Madrid, Spain. July 8, 2024. Cemex announced today its most recent investment in frontrunning carbon capture startup, KC8 Capture Technologies (KC8), carried out through its corporate venture capital and open innovation unit, Cemex Ventures. This investment in KC8’s technology has the intention of scaling such technologies to new heights in the largest project of its kind to date for KC8. 

KC8, which is an Australian-based startup, provides the construction industry with an affordable pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Traditional solvents used in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) rely on solvents that can present an environmental hazard, but KC8’s value proposition is their proprietary non-toxic, non-volatile solvent designed to have no impact on the environment. Moreover, the startup’s breakthrough technology is designed to enable up to 95% CO₂ capture, optimize energy efficiency by 15%, and cut down overall operating costs by 50% for partners in heavy industries, such as Cemex, in comparison to conventional amine solvents. 

Following this initial investment, Cemex seeks to test KC8’s technology in a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study at one of its leading cement plants with the aim to capture more than 100 tons per day (TDP) of CO₂, an ambition that is 10 times greater than current project scopes. 

“The path to carbon neutrality is paved by not only sustainable investments, but also active and aggressive clean technology adoption by industry leaders who are producing on a global scale with a considerable impact within construction”, said Gonzalo Galindo, Head of Cemex Ventures. “We are thrilled to help promote the growth of KC8 by connecting the startup to Cemex’s extensive network and resources and to find synergies in order to foster the construction industry revolution.” 

“As a global supplier in carbon capture technologies, we are very excited to be working with the global Cemex organization in the further development of our technology supporting the cement industry,” said Greg Ross, Executive Director.  “The support of Cemex Ventures will undoubtedly be a major part of our success and we look forward to further collaboration as we implement larger scale projects.” 

This technology has the potential to position Cemex as a leader in carbon capture in the construction industry. It aims to help Cemex reduce its Scope 1 CO₂ emissions to reduce the direct greenhouse gas emissions derived from its production processes. This investment bolsters the ambitions climate action goals set out by Cemex’s sustainability program, Future in Action, through its Innovation & Partnerships pillar.  

About KC8 Capture Technologies 

KC8 Capture Technologies Ltd (www.kc8capture.com) is a process licensing company developing carbon capture technologies. KC8 is an Australian based and operates in Melbourne, Perth and now has an office in the USA. The company has developed carbon capture technologies which are currently going into a commercial demonstration phase in both cement kiln flue gas and gas turbine flue gas. Through research and development, it controls 11 patent families with over 40 awarded international patents and many more pending. 

About Cemex Ventures 

Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through solutions that consider sustainability. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com 

About Cemex 

Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com 

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Cemex Ventures B.V. is an indirect subsidiary of Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. Except as the context otherwise may require, references in this press release to “Cemex,” ”we,” ”us,” ”our,” refer to Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Cemex intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect Cemex’s current expectations and projections about future events based on Cemex’s knowledge of present facts and circumstances and assumptions about future events, as well as Cemex’s current plans based on such facts and circumstances, unless otherwise indicated. These statements necessarily involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Cemex’s expectations, including, among others, risks, uncertainties, and assumptions discussed in Cemex’s most recent annual report and detailed from time to time in Cemex’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores), which factors are incorporated herein by reference, which if materialized could ultimately lead to Cemex’s expectations, expected results, and/or the investment and projects referred herein not producing the expected benefits and/or results. Forward-looking statements should not be considered guarantees of future performance, nor the results or developments are indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These factors may be revised or supplemented, and the information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice, but Cemex is not under, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or correct this press release or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. Any or all of Cemex’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate. Accordingly, undue reliance on forward-looking statements should not be placed, as such forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The content of this press release is for informational purposes only, and you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Cemex is not responsible for any third-party information referenced in this press release. There is currently no single globally recognized or accepted, consistent, and comparable set of definitions or standards (legal, regulatory, or otherwise) of, nor widespread cross-market consensus i) as to what constitutes, a ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or having equivalent-labelled activity, product, or asset; or ii) as to what precise attributes are required for a particular activity, product, or asset to be defined as ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or such other equivalent label; or iii) as to climate and sustainable funding and financing activities and their classification and reporting. Therefore, there is little certainty, and no assurance or representation is given that such activities and/or reporting of those activities will meet any present or future expectations or requirements for describing or classifying funding and financing activities as ‘green’, ‘social’, or ‘sustainable’ or attributing similar labels. We expect policies, regulatory requirements, standards, and definitions to be developed and continuously evolve over time.