Oxara
Advancing under the Prototypes for Humanity Venture Building Programme
Construction Materials from Demolition Waste
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The Challenge
Construction is on of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. Traditional cement production alone accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions, even as housing demand continues to rise.
Each year, billions of tonnes of excavated soil and demolition waste are landfilled or transported at high cost – despite being chemically suitable for reuse.
The Solution
Oxara turns excavation and demolition waste into a clean, cement-free building material. Their patented Oxacrete process converts previously unusable waste soil into high-performing, low-carbon material that can replace up to 100% of cement in certain applications.
Oxara emerged from cutting-edge academic research at ETH Zurich, transforming construction waste management through a patented, cement-free building material. Their technology converts the world’s largest waste stream – excavation and demolition materials – into safe, affordable, low-carbon concrete alternatives, supporter the transition of greener, circular construction.
At A Glance
Construction Materials from Demolition Waste
Headquarters
Zurich, Switzerland
Technology
Cement-free building material derived from processed excavation waste
Primary markets
Construction
Civil Engineering
Affordable Housing
Prefab Manufacturing
Economic Impact
Lower-cost, low-carbon building materials for cities and developers
New circular-economy value chains within the construction sector
Transforming excavation waste into valuable raw materials.
Social Impact
More sustainable and affordable housing solutions
Supporting greener urban development and liveable cities
Reduced landfill pressure and urban waste capacity
Environmental Impact
Pioneering cement-free construction materials that enables, low-carbon infrastructure
Cutting emissions by replacing traditional cement with circular alternatives
Reducing soil disposal and land disruption through upcycling
Leadership
Behind Oxara is a crew of engineers, chemists, material scientists, and changemakers who believe that sustainable construction shouldn’t be rocket science, but it should be bold.
Dr. Gnanli Landrou
Co-Founder, Oxara
Oxara is the branchild of Dr Landrou, a cosmopolitan and impact-driven innovator from Togo. In 2019, he co-founded the ETH spin-off Oxara together with his partner, Dr Thibault Demoulin. Their mission: to enable sustainable construction and affordable housing by ditching cement and transforming mineral construction waste into building materials globally. Dr Landrou is a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus.
Dr. Thibault Demoulin
Co-Founder, Oxara
Thibault is passionate about conserving materials – and when that’s not possible – transofrming them into something just as meaningful. This mindset has guided his journey from studying archaeological iron and wood to working with heritage buildings, always driven by the belief that secondary materials are not waste, but resources.