Material Evolution

Material Evolution (also known as Mevo) develops and manufactures ultra-low carbon cement for the construction industry. Its flagship product, MevoCem, is produced from industrial byproducts and other feedstocks using a patented alkali-fusion process that forms a clinker-like material at ambient temperatures, avoiding the kilns and fossil-fuel heat used in conventional cement making. The company states MevoCem cuts embodied carbon by up to 85% per cubic metre of concrete relative to ordinary Portland cement and is suitable for strength classes up to at least C60, and that it drops into existing production workflows without operational changes. A third-party profile cites emissions of 144-196 kg CO2 equivalent per tonne and a 52.5N strength rating with reduced binder content.

The company operates the Mevo A1 Production Facility in Llay, Wrexham, which produced its first batch in October 2024 and was announced as operational in December 2024. Built in eight months using modular construction and lean design, the 120 square metre plant has capacity for 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem per year and is described as the UK's largest producer of ultra-low carbon cement. It is co-located on the site of CCP Building Products, a precast concrete block maker owned by strategic investor SigmaRoc, reducing transport emissions by placing cement and concrete production under one roof. Material Evolution also runs an R&D hub in Teesside.

Alongside its materials chemistry, the company applies AI and machine learning to accelerate material development, select and map waste feedstocks, maintain batch quality consistency, and improve processes using data collected across its value chain. Its stated goal is to save one gigaton of CO2 by 2040, and it has said it plans to build a facility capable of producing at least half a million tonnes of cement a year by 2028.

Founding story

Founded by Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Gilligan, a Queen's University Belfast graduate with a PhD in architecture, and Sam Clark. Sources differ on the founding year, giving both 2017 and 2020; one account describes the company as born in Gilligan's garage in 2020. Gilligan was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for manufacturing and industry and was a finalist in Catalyst's Invent competition in 2019.

Business model

Business-to-business supply of cement to the construction materials value chain, combined with plans to create blueprints for scaling and licensing its technology across the UK, Europe and beyond. The company partners with customers to design and build compact, modular factories sited close to raw materials and end markets, and has co-located production with a precast concrete producer.

Sales of MevoCem cement to construction and building materials companies, including advanced offtake agreements; a third-party profile describes bulk B2B supply agreements and direct partnerships or supply contracts with construction firms, manufacturers and developers.

Traction

By June 2023 the company reported advanced offtake agreements totalling over 35,000 tonnes of product and had sold out its first year of production. The Wrexham plant produced its first batch in October 2024 with 120,000 tonnes of annual capacity. The company reported raising £25M in capital in total as of March 2025, secured a venture debt facility from HSBC Innovation Banking UK in June 2025, and received Made in Britain accreditation in October 2025. Documented trials and partnerships include Ready Mix Tees Valley, Grange Quarry, ARC Marine, CRH and Tarmac, and an Environment Agency/RPC Contracts precast project.

Latest developments

Recent activity includes a low-carbon precast concrete trial with the Environment Agency and RPC Contracts targeting a 20% carbon reduction in a water-sector project, work on 3D-printed low carbon concrete, and public commentary from CEO Liz Gilligan in Concrete magazine arguing that procurement alignment and standards, rather than technology, are the main barriers to scaling low-carbon concrete in the UK.