Cemex Ventures has appointed Jesús Ortiz as Head of its corporate venture capital platform, with the aim of strengthening its focus on integrating proven technologies and scaling solutions with tangible industrial impact across the construction value chain.
The construction sector is undergoing a structural redefinition. Technological advancement, mounting productivity pressures, and climate urgency are reshaping how assets are designed, delivered, and managed at a global scale. In this evolving landscape, competitive differentiation no longer lies in experimentation, but in the ability to operationalize, integrate, and scale solutions within real-world environments.
Ortiz assumes leadership with a clear mandate: to help translate innovation into tangible competitive advantage by reinforcing the link between corporate strategy, operational execution, and long‑term value creation.
“True transformation occurs when technology moves beyond pilot stages and becomes embedded within the operating model. Our focus is straightforward: integrate capabilities, scale solutions, and deliver measurable impact in active environments,” said Jesús Ortiz, Head of Cemex Ventures.
Over recent years, Cemex Ventures has evolved into a global collaboration platform connecting corporates, entrepreneurs, and investors with the shared objective of modernizing the built environment and strengthening its resilience.
As part of Cemex’s broader transformation, Cemex Ventures plays a strategic role in supporting the company’s long‑term objectives by identifying, integrating, and scaling technologies that are intended to strengthen operational performance, efficiency, and sustainability across Cemex’s global footprint. From its position within the organization, Cemex Ventures aims to contribute to the future of Cemex by enabling scalable innovation that supports competitiveness and long‑term value creation for shareholders.
Under Ortiz’s leadership, the strategy will focus on:
This leadership transition reinforces Cemex Ventures’ ambition to act as a catalyst for structural transformation within the industry. The emphasis is clear: innovation is not an end in itself, but a lever to enhance competitiveness, efficiency, and long‑term sustainability.
The sector’s evolution will not be defined by passing trends, but by disciplined execution, strategic integration, and scalable impact.
Cemex Ventures reaffirms its commitment to seeking to build operational transformation through action.
Cemex Ventures has been officially recognized as Sustainability Investor of the Year at the BuiltWorlds Awards 2025, highlighting the firm’s continued commitment to accelerating innovation and decarbonization across the global construction ecosystem.
The award was presented today to Jesús Ortiz, representing Cemex Ventures during the ceremony, recognizing the organization’s sustained efforts to back startups developing technologiesthat improve productivity, reduce emissions, and transform how the built environment is designed and delivered.
The BuiltWorlds Awards celebrate leading organizations and investors driving meaningful progress across construction technology, infrastructure, and sustainability. This year’s recognitionacknowledges Cemex Ventures’ growing portfolio of startups focused on climate solutions, digitalization, and advanced construction technologies.
“This recognition reinforces our commitment to supporting founders developing solutions that can deliver measurable impact for the construction industry,” said Jesús Ortiz. “Innovation willplay a critical role in addressing the sector’s productivity challenges and accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable built environment.”
Over the past years, Cemex Ventures has actively invested in and partnered with startups developing technologies across areas such as:
The recognition from BuiltWorlds further highlights the role of venture investment in enabling the deployment and scaling of technologies capable of addressing some of the constructionsector’s most pressing challenges.
Cemex Ventures will continue working alongside founders, industry partners, and investors to accelerate the adoption of solutions that can deliver both environmental and operational impactacross the built world.
Artificial intelligence has crossed a threshold in construction.
In 2024, 35% of total ConTech capital went to AI-enabled solutions. In 2025, that number surged to 77%, reaching $5,051 million. The shift is not cosmetic. It reflects a redefinition of what investors, corporates, and founders now consider investable in the built environment.
From our perspective at Cemex Ventures, this is not simply an AI cycle. It is a capital reallocation moment, one that is reshaping how the industry thinks about productivity, risk, and execution.
As Miguel Carralón, Investment Advisor at Cemex Ventures, puts it:
“We’re no longer seeing AI as an additional feature. In 2025, it became the filter. If a platform doesn’t embed intelligence deeply into operations, it struggles to justify scale capital.”
That statement captures what the data confirms.
Of the $5,051M deployed into AI-based construction solutions in 2025, nearly 60% flowed into Enhanced Productivity platforms ($3,906M).
The message is clear: construction’s primary pressure point remains operational efficiency.
Margins are tight. Execution risk remains high. Labor shortages persist across major markets. In this context, AI is being funded where it can directly compress timelines, reduce rework, and improve predictability.
Beyond productivity:
It is worth noting that sustainability is increasingly enabled by AI indirectly, through material optimization, energy efficiency modeling, and process automation, even if capital is not always categorized under “green.”
Miguel highlights an important nuance:
“The sustainability conversation hasn’t weakened. What’s changed is that investors now want intelligence embedded into decarbonization. AI is becoming the engine behind measurable climate performance, not a separate category.”
When looking at capital allocation by topic, several clear leaders emerge.
BIM & Digital Twins attracted $1,668M, the largest share of AI capital.
These platforms have evolved from visualization tools into predictive environments capable of simulating risk, identifying clashes automatically, and optimizing lifecycle decisions in real time.
General Project Management secured $828M, signaling confidence in AI-native operating systems that move beyond reporting dashboards and into proactive decision automation.
Robotics drew $476M, reflecting increasing conviction in AI-powered physical automation on-site, particularly as labor dynamics continue to pressure execution models.
Asset Maintenance ($355M) and Project Monitoring & Control ($283M) showed strong deal activity, with monitoring alone registering 14 transactions. Computer vision, sensor analytics, and predictive diagnosticsare increasingly being deployed across both vertical and infrastructure projects.
Interestingly, the highest number of deals — 28 — occurred in Project Design & Budgeting, despite a lower overall capital allocation ($144M). This suggests strong early-stage experimentation upstream in the valuechain.
The pattern is consistent: AI is embedding across the entire lifecycle, from design to operations.
Three forces converged in 2025.
First, investor selectivity intensified. Larger checks went to platforms capable of scaling across geographies and asset classes. AI-native infrastructure became a proxy for scalability and defensibility.
Second, the operational environment hardened. Volatile material prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and cost overruns reinforced the need for predictive systems.
Third, data maturity improved. After a decade of digital adoption, BIM implementation, ERP systems, IoT sensors, construction firms now possess datasets robust enough to train meaningful AI models.
Miguel frames it simply:
“The industry finally has enough digital exhaust for AI to generate real signal. Before, the data wasn’t structured enough. Now it is — and capital followed.”
When 77% of total ConTech funding concentrates in AI-enabled platforms, the implication is not that AI is fashionable. It is that AI has become foundational.
Founders who present AI as a layer on top of legacy systems face increasing skepticism. Conversely, startups architected around intelligence from day one are attracting stronger investor conviction.
This dynamic is likely to intensify.
In 2025, many corporates adopted AI tools through pilot programs. In 2026, the priority will shift toward standardization across portfolios and geographies.
Why? Because fragmented AI deployment creates data silos and limits learning loops.
Large contractors and industrial players increasingly recognize that AI’s value compounds only when deployed consistently across multiple projects. A single-site pilot does not generate defensible advantage. Cross-project data aggregation does.
This means that in 2026:
As Miguel Carralón notes:
“In 2025, AI proved it could improve execution. In 2026, it will have to prove it can standardize it.”
The winners will be those who reduce organizational friction, not just technical inefficiencies.
The macro environment remains capital-disciplined. Even though investment rebounded structurally in 2025, the mindset is no longer hypergrowth-first.
AI platforms that directly protect margins will continue to attract disproportionate attention.
This includes:
Why this trend? Because construction is still fundamentally project-based and margin-sensitive. AI that prevents a 3% cost overrun is often more valuable than AI that promises a 10% productivity gain but lacksreliability.
In 2026, expect funding to continue concentrating around risk-reduction intelligence, particularly in volatile geographies and infrastructure-heavy markets.
In 2025, robotics captured $476M, strong but still secondary to digital platforms.
In 2026, we expect tighter integration between AI-driven analytics and physical automation systems.
The reason is straightforward:
Predictive intelligence without physical execution capability leaves value unrealized.
If an AI platform identifies sequencing inefficiencies but cannot automate layout or material placement, productivity gains plateau. Conversely, robotics without adaptive intelligence struggles to operatedynamically in unstructured environments.
The convergence of:
will likely define the next capital wave inside “Construction’s Future.”
This is less about futuristic narratives and more about labor dynamics. Persistent skilled labor shortages across North America and Europe create structural demand for intelligent automation.
In 2025, capital rewarded AI integration.
In 2026, capital will reward data defensibility.
Investors will increasingly ask:
Why this shift? Because as AI adoption broadens, differentiation compresses. Algorithms can be replicated. Proprietary, structured, high-volume construction datasets cannot.
This is particularly relevant in categories like:
Platforms that build closed-loop learning systems will command stronger valuations and longer capital runways.
Although only 1% of AI capital in 2025 was categorized under Green Construction, the indirect sustainability impact of AI is far larger.
In 2026, expect a more integrated narrative:
The reason this will accelerate is regulatory and financial pressure. Industrial decarbonization targets are tightening, and capital providers are increasingly linking financing conditions to measurable ESG performance.
AI becomes the measurement and optimization engine behind decarbonization, even if it is not always labeled as such.
Given that 77% of capital concentrated in AI in 2025, 2026 is likely to see capital consolidation rather than fragmentation.
Larger checks will go to:
Early-stage experimentation will continue, particularly in design and budgeting , but growth-stage capital will favor scale-ready infrastructure.
This is a natural progression after a year of strong capital validation.
Artificial intelligence in construction is no longer about adoption curves. It is about competitive architecture.
2026 will not be defined by whether AI works. It will be defined by:
For founders, this means moving beyond feature differentiation toward system-level thinking.
For corporates, it means shifting from innovation budgets to operational budgets.
For investors, it means underwriting not just AI capability, but deployment capacity.
The data from 2025 shows where capital went.
2026 will show which platforms can transform that capital into durable industrial advantage.
And that is where the next phase of construction intelligence truly begins.
The new investment reaffirms Cemex Ventures’ commitment to the startup, driven by the success of the CLYNGAS project and a €4.4 million grant from the European Union.
Cemex Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Cemex, announced today a new investment in Waste to Energy Advanced Solutions (WtEnergy), a leading startup specializing in the conversion of non-recyclable solid waste and biomass into clean energy.
With this capital injection, Cemex Ventures strengthens its commitment to WtEnergy, supporting the development and scalability of a technology with the potential to upgrade waste into low-carbon syngas, clean hydrogen, and other bioproducts. This investment is made with the objective of accelerating the integration of clean energy sources into Cemex’s global clinker and cement manufacturing operations, a cornerstone of its decarbonization strategy.
“WtEnergy perfectly embodies the type of solutions we aim to promote within our circular economy and clean energy strategy,” said Alfredo Carrato, Investment Manager at Cemex Ventures. “The advancement of technologies that can turn waste into clean fuels and low-carbon solutions is essential for the decarbonization of the construction sector. With this new investment, we reinforce our commitment to supporting startups that are redefining the industry’s energy future and creating tangible value across the cement value chain.”
Cemex Ventures’ decision to increase its participation in WtEnergy is based on measurable progress and growing institutional recognition of the technology:
1. €4.4 Million EU Innovation Fund Grant: In collaboration with Cemex, WtEnergy has received the support of the European Union Innovation Fund through a grant aimed at developing its advanced waste-to-fuel conversion technology. This financial backing highlights the potential of the solution as a clean and scalable energy alternative for the heavy industry.
2. Leadership in clean hydrogen production via EU Horizon Europe HYIELD Project: WtEnergy leads the innovative HYIELD project at Cemex’s Alcanar plant in Spain, awarded with a €10M grant by Horizon Europe and focused on transforming bio-residues into high-purity clean hydrogen. The project’s success positions WtEnergy as a key player in the energy transition and circular economy based on sustainable resources.
This investment reinforces Cemex’s commitment to its “Future in Action” program, which aims to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. The use of alternative fuels with a high biomass content is one of the main levers of Cemex’s 2030 decarbonization roadmap, validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) under the 1.5°C scenario.
Cemex Ventures, the corporate venture capital and open innovation unit of Cemex, today released its list of the 50 most promisingconstruction technology (Contech) startups for 2026. The selection is structured around the CVC’s four strategic focus areas: Green Construction (sustainability), Enhanced Productivity (efficiency), Construction Supply Chain (agility), and Future of Construction (disruption).
Cemex Ventures, the corporate venture capital and open innovation unit of Cemex, today released its list of the 50 most promisingconstruction technology (Contech) startups for 2026. The selection is structured around the CVC’s four strategic focus areas: Green Construction (sustainability), Enhanced Productivity (efficiency), Construction Supply Chain (agility), and Future of Construction (disruption).
Following the investment peak reached in 2021, the Contech ecosystem has entered a more mature phase characterized by disciplined capital allocation and a stronger emphasison solutions addressing the industry’s most critical operational, environmental, and productivity challenges. The 7th edition of Cemex Ventures’ Top 50 includes a comprehensive report analyzing key industry dynamics in 2025 and outlining expected innovation and investment trends for 2026.
In 2025, global Contech investment reached approximately USD 6.57 billion across nearly 337 deals, supported primarily by sustained activity in early-stage funding rounds (Seedand Series A). This trend reflects continued investor confidence in the sector’s long-term fundamentals, while underscoring a shift toward technologies with clearer executionpathways and scalability potential.
The Enhanced Productivity category continued to capture the largest share of investment activity, accounting for 64% of total deals, driven by the accelerated adoption of digital platforms, automation, and AI-enabled solutions designed to improve efficiency, predictability, and execution across construction operations.
The Construction’s Future category followed with 18% of total deals, reflecting sustained, but increasingly selective, interest in decarbonization, circularity, and resourceefficiency. Investment in this segment is increasingly focused on solutions that go beyond pilot phases, demonstrating clear pathways toward industrial scalability, soundeconomics, and tangible impact across key levers such as embodied carbon reduction, alternative materials, water efficiency, and process optimization.
“In 2025, the Contech market clearly moved into a more disciplined and execution-driven phase. Capital did not retreat, but it became more selective, favoring solutions that can be industrialized, integrated into real operations, and scaled with predictable economics,” said Jesús Ortiz, Head of Cemex Ventures.
“Our focus has been on identifying technologies that address the sector’s structural challenges, productivity, supply chain resilience, and decarbonization, through solutions thatmove from validation into real operations, delivering measurable impact at scale.”
“The Top 50 Contech Startups 2026 report reflects a market where innovation is no longer judged by novelty, but by its ability to translate into execution,” Ortiz added. “Digitalization, automation, and AI are becoming core components of new operating models in construction, and in 2026, we expect accelerated adoption of technologies that enhancepredictability, efficiency, and sustainability while strengthening overall competitiveness.”
The startups featured in this year’s Top 50 Contech Startups 2026 represent a diverse global ecosystem, united by a shared ambition to address construction’s most pressing challenges and reshape the industry’s future.
If you’ve been following our content, you know the construction industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Digitalization, automation, and sustainability have become essential pillars to tackle today’s challenges: reducingcosts, improving energy efficiency, ensuring safety, and accelerating execution to meet the growing demand for housing.
In this context, an inevitable question arises: How far can Artificial Intelligence (AI) go in construction?
The answer is no longer a futuristic mystery but a fact backed by numbers: the global AI in construction market is projected to reach USD 11.1 billion by 2025 and grow to USD 24.3 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growthrate (CAGR) of nearly 17%. Moreover, over 50% of companies already use AI-powered drones for topographic surveys, while up to 40% report reduced project delays thanks to predictive intelligence.
AI is constantly redefining construction processes, from design to execution. But can it really build a building on its own? What role does it play in planning, execution, and everyday decision-making? Let’s find out.
Smart Construction is much more than a buzzword. It’s about integrating advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, BIM, robotics, and 3D printing to optimize every stage of a project’s lifecycle. The goal? To make construction more efficient, safer, and sustainable.
We are entering the era of Construction 4.0, where data and artificial intelligence are as critical as cement and steel.
AI is not just about robots or virtual assistants. It’s a powerful tool already present in multiple areas of the industry:
Using advanced algorithms, AI can create hundreds of optimized design variations based on criteria such as cost, energy efficiency, aesthetics, and regulations. Tools like Autodesk Generative Design allow exploring solutions that previously required weeks of manual work.
Did you know delays and cost overruns are among the biggest challenges in construction? AI analyzes historical data, weather conditions, and resource availability to anticipate problems and propose solutions, reducing risks and improving schedule management.
Through computer vision and IoT sensors, AI detects unsafe behaviors on-site, identifies hazardous zones, and sends real-time alerts, preventing accidents before they happen.
AI inspects materials and structures using cameras and drones, detecting defects that might go unnoticed by the human eye. This ensures higher standards and reduces repair costs.
Today, technologies exist that facilitate planning, execution, and project completion:
However, some tasks still require human intervention, such as complex decision-making and coordination with clients, suppliers, and authorities. AI doesn’t replace human interaction it complements it.
AI can automate much of the process, but human supervision is still essential to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
It’s estimated that over 40% of construction tasks will be automated, with AI playing a key role in planning and sustainable design. The global AI in construction market could reach USD 24.3 billion by 2030.
Can AI build a building entirely on its own? Not yet—but projects like the West End in Atlanta aim to make it a reality, marking a milestone in modern architecture. AI is transforming how we build. From generative design to 3D printing, AI is paving the way for smarter, safer, and more sustainable construction.
The question isn’t whether AI will replace humans, but how we will work together to build the future.
What do you think?
Real-time data? This might seem like an accepted standard in the industry, but for decades, the construction sector has relied on an inherently slow decision-making system based on weekly reports, manual inspections, and data that is already history. While functional, this model has been the primary reason for decades why productivity margins were so low and cost, schedule, and risk overruns were more recurrent than desired.
In this blog, we’ll explore how the strategic integration of new technologies is rewriting the sector’s narrative and history. We’ll focus on the transformative concept of Real-Time Data (RTD) and how its adoption is not just a technological upgrade, but a fundamental decision for competitiveness and risk management. From planning to on-site execution, we’ll understand how instant information becomes the engine of efficiency in the industry.
Join us in this detailed analysis where we convert the vision of the future of construction into strategies applicable today.
The construction industry, a pillar of the global economy, faces a problem of structural inefficiency. According to analysis in Reinventing construction: A route to higher productivity by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), the productivity growth rate in the sector has historically been lower than in industries like manufacturing. Specifically, construction labor productivity has grown at a much slower pace (around 1% annually) compared to the global economy (around 2.8%) and manufacturing (around 3.6%) over the last two decades. A large part of this disparity is due to low digitization and the dependence on historical data (batch data), which only allows for reactive analysis.
But, let’s start with the basics: What is Real-Time Data (RTD)? When we use this term, we are referring to a necessary conceptual leap. It is information processed and analyzed the exact moment it is generated, eliminating the latency between the occurrence of an event and the decision-making. For construction professionals, this transforms information from a past record into a tool for immediate prediction and control. Obviously, it has its application in our sector.
The brake on digitization is reflected in investment statistics. Global surveys indicate that spending on Information Technology (IT) in the Engineering and Construction (E&C) sector consistently ranks at the lowest levels of all industries, typically oscillating between 1% and 2% of revenues. This contrasts sharply with the 4%-5% invested by other sectors that have already embraced digital transformation.
This inaction in the sector is not sustainable. The digitization gap creates vulnerability to more agile competitors. Adopting RTD-based platforms is the way to rapidly scale efficiency, directly impacting the financial and operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of every project.
Real-Time Data is not a single technology, but the result of the convergence of several mature tools:
Internet of Things (IoT): Low-cost sensors embedded in machinery, concrete, and fixed assets become the eyes of the construction site, generating constant data streams on status and environment.
Cloud Computing: Allows for the massive storage and processing of this data with the necessary speed and power for real-time analysis.
Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics: Algorithms are capable of analyzing RTD streams to identify risk patterns (machinery failures, quality deviations) before they materialize, transforming risk management from reactive to proactive.
The true advantage lies in the integration of these data streams with existing management systems (ERP and BIM), creating a “Digital Control Tower” that offers a unified view of the project.
For the construction industry professional, RTD offers two fundamental strategic benefits that are highly advantageous:
Reduction of Uncertainty: Access to accurate information at the right time eliminates dependence on assumptions and excessive safety margins. This translates into tighter planning, lower inventory costs, and real mitigation of contractual and safety risks.
Asset Utilization Optimization: RTD allows for the monitoring of the performance and health of heavy machinery and high-value materials. By knowing the status and location of each asset, its productive use time is maximized and its useful life is extended, improving the return on capital expenditure (CAPEX).
Beyond financial efficiency, RTD is revolutionizing the field of on-site safety, where incident rates remain unacceptably high.
Risk Detection: The use of wearables and smart cameras ($Computer\ Vision$) in real time allows for the monitoring of safety protocol compliance. These systems not only record non-compliance (e.g., working without a harness) but alert the worker and supervisor before the incident occurs.
Fatigue and Environment Management: Environmental sensors provide RTD on invisible risks (air quality, extreme temperature). Biological data from workers prevents fatigue in critical tasks. Investing in safety RTD is the investment with the highest ROI by avoiding the direct and indirect costs of an accident.
Knowledge of RTD is no longer a specialization, but an indispensable professional competence (upskilling) to lead projects in the future. Our CVC focuses on investing in and promoting solutions that facilitate the adoption of these data platforms, enabling industry professionals to convert this vision into tangible project benefits.
On November 12, Las Vegas became the global epicenter of construction innovation. Pitch Day 2025, held during the Trimble Dimensions User Conference, proved once again that the future of our industry is thrilling, driven by bold ideas and cutting-edge technology.
Throughout an intense day of pitches, the finalists of the Construction Startup Competition 2025 showcased solutions tackling the sector’s biggest challenges: productivity, sustainability, digitalization, and new construction methodologies. Before a jury of global leaders, Cemex Ventures, Caterpillar, Dysruptek by Haskell, Ferrovial, Hilti, Leonard by VINCI, NOVA by Saint-Gobain, Trimble, and Zacua Ventures, the startups demonstrated that innovation knows no limits.
After a day full of energy, networking, and groundbreaking presentations, we proudly announced the winners of this edition:
🥇 Gold Winner: Gravis Robotics
Advanced robotics to automate critical on-site tasks, boosting safety and efficiency.
🥈 Silver Winner: Hyperion Robotics
3D printing solutions using sustainable materials to transform industrial construction.
🥉 Bronze Winner: BuildCheck
An intelligent platform to optimize quality and regulatory compliance in projects.
These visionary startups impressed not only the jury but also investors and industry leaders, cementing their role as drivers of change.
The excitement continues! On November 18, we’ll reveal the European Winner of the European Pitch Day, held at ReCoTech in Finland.
And that’s not all, by the end of January, we’ll publish our highly anticipated Top 50 Contech Startups Report, featuring the companies set to make waves in 2026. Stay tuned for this exclusive insight into the future of construction innovation.
Don’t miss the Pitch Day highlights video, coming soon! 🎥
Do you think about building a house starting with the roof? Wrong! Just like in life, when you want to build a solid and lasting structure, everything starts from the bottom: the foundation. Foundation Building Materials are essential to ensure the stability, safety, and longevity of any building. Choosing the right material depends not only on the type of construction but also on the terrain, climate, and available budget.
In today’s blog, we don’t just want to build a solid base—we want to bring you closer to this concept, explore the available materials (from the most common to the lesser-known), and guide you in making informed decisions for a potential construction project.-
Foundation Building Materials are the physical elements used to build the base of a structure. Their main function is to distribute the building’s weight evenly over the ground, preventing sinking, cracks, or collapse.
These materials must be not only strong but also durable and capable of withstanding both static and dynamic loads.
Simply put, without a well-built foundation using proper materials, any building risks structural failure, which can have serious consequences for its users and surroundings. That’s why architects and engineers pay special attention to this critical phase of construction.
So, what are the most commonly used materials for foundations? The range is quite broad, including reinforced concrete, natural stone, brick, treated wood, structural steel, and precast concrete.
Each has specific properties that make it more or less suitable depending on soil type, local climate, and the intended use of the building.
Choosing treated wood for your project? It could be a lifelong match—or not. That’s why selecting the right foundation material is not a decision to be taken lightly. Several factors directly influence the performance and durability of the structure, and understanding them can make the difference between a safe build and one full of complications.
Soil type is one of the most decisive elements. Clay, sandy, or rocky soils require different solutions, as each responds differently to load and moisture.
Climate also plays a key role. In humid areas or regions with large temperature variations, materials must resist expansion, contraction, and corrosion.
Structural load is another fundamental aspect. Building a single-family home is not the same as constructing an office building or industrial warehouse. Each project demands materials with specific strength and flexibility.
And of course, budget influences the choice. While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, it’s important to balance cost, quality, and durability. Sometimes, investing a bit more in the foundation can prevent major expenses later.
Here’s a breakdown of the main foundation building materials, their characteristics, and when they’re typically used:
The most widely used material in modern foundations. It consists of cement mixed with steel rebar, offering excellent resistance to both compression and tension. Ideal for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, especially in seismic zones or high-load areas.
Advantages: High durability, design versatility, and excellent structural performance.
A traditional material still used in rural or historic constructions. Its compression resistance makes it ideal for retaining walls or stable rocky terrains. Offers a natural aesthetic, long lifespan, and strong weather resistance.
Once a construction staple, now largely replaced by concrete. Still viable in regions where it’s readily available and cost-effective. Best suited for dry climates due to its thermal insulation properties.
Popular for lightweight or temporary structures like cabins, prefabricated homes, and modular housing. Chemically treated to resist moisture, insects, and fungi. Lightweight, easy to install, and affordable.
Essential for large-scale constructions due to its strength and flexibility. Used in high-rise buildings, industrial infrastructure, and complex terrains. Especially effective in seismic zones.
Advantages: Fast and precise installation, high performance.
Manufactured off-site and installed on-site, allowing for better quality control and faster execution. Ideal for modular foundations, industrial buildings, and repetitive constructions.
Advantages: Efficiency, precision, and reduced environmental impact.
Foundation materials not only serve a structural purpose—they also represent a significant portion of the global construction market.
In 2025, the global market for construction-related materials is expected to reach $1.41 trillion, an increase of $60 billion from the previous year. This upward trend is projected to continue, with the market reaching $2 trillion by 2034, growing at a 4% compound annual rate.
Specifically for foundations, concrete and cement lead with over 38% market share due to their strength, durability, and versatility. Concrete bricks are also gaining ground, growing at 4.7% annually, especially in residential projects.
The residential sector remains the strongest, generating over 30% of construction material market revenue.
Sustainability is also shaping the market. In 2025, spending on non-residential green building products is expected to reach $240 billion, with projections of $297.6 billion by 2029. Over 60% of new projects now prioritize recycled, low-carbon materials and solutions that reduce environmental impact.
Construction is evolving—and foundations are no exception. Sustainability is increasingly a key factor in material selection, especially in regions where regulations mediate between industry and the environment.
Eco-friendly and recycled materials are gaining prominence not only for their lower environmental impact but also for their efficiency and adaptability.
Alternatives like low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and certified wood are transforming how buildings are grounded. Technological innovation has also led to solutions like precast concrete, which reduces on-site waste and speeds up execution.
Startups like KC8, Carbon Upcycling, and Carbon Capture are developing technologies that make construction more sustainable.
Foundation building materials are more than just a physical base, they’re the starting point of any well-built project. Choosing them wisely, with a clear understanding of context and specific needs, is key to ensuring safety, efficiency, and durability.
If you’re planning a construction project or simply want to learn more about responsible building, we invite you to keep exploring our blog.
On November 18, 2025, Cemex Ventures will proudly participate in the first-ever European Pitch Day, hosted within the framework of Recotech, one of Europe’s leading events for innovation in construction and real estate technology.
This milestone event will bring together top startups, investors, and industry leaders to spotlight the future of construction innovation. As part of the agenda, the European Winner of the Construction Startup Competition 2025 will be selected from five standout startups:
These startups have already proven their potential by winning regional rounds of the global competition, and now they’ll pitch their solutions to a panel of experts in hopes of claiming the European title.
The European Pitch Day is more than just a competition, it’s a platform for collaboration, visibility, and growth. It reflects Consttruction Startup Competition’s commitment to driving transformation in the construction industry by supporting startups that tackle real-world challenges with scalable, tech-driven solutions.
By participating in this event, Construction Startup Competition partners continue to strengthen its role as a global leader in construction innovation, connecting with visionary entrepreneurs and fostering a more sustainable and efficient built environment.
The European Pitch Day at Recotech will feature an outstanding panel of industry leaders and innovation experts.
The jury includes Mateo Zimmermann, Head of Venture Investments & Partnerships at CEMEX Ventures; Louis Cottin, Head of Scale at Leonard; Juan Nieto, Founding Partner at Zacua Ventures; Mike Mahan, Director at Caterpillar Ventures; Jonathan Willet, Startup Investment & Partnerships for Saint-Gobain EMEA; Oliver Glockner, VP Data, AI & Innovation at Hilti; and Germán Aparicio, Program Manager of Early Innovation and Partner Development at Trimble.
These professionals bring deep expertise in construction technology, venture capital, and strategic partnerships, ensuring a rigorous and insightful evaluation of the competing startups.
Recotech is a premier European event focused on real estate and construction technology. It brings together startups, corporates, investors, and thought leaders to explore the latest trends, share insights, and build partnerships that shape the future of the industry.
