Innovation

Innovation and New Business Development (NBD) is structured around scientific rigor and industrial applications. We start from a deep understanding of mineral composition, reactivity, and process interactions - and use this knowledge to anticipate change and solve new operational challenges.  

Our key objectives are to: 

• Drive profitable, sustainable and profitable growth through innovative solutions, advanced production processes and strong technical support.
• Unlock the full potential of limestone, dolomite and minerals in existing and emerging applications.
• Develop patented specialty products tailored to specific industrial requirements.
• Research energy‑efficient technologies to optimize operations and reduce environmental impact.
• Maintain strong scientific capabilities through global knowledge sharing and partnerships with universities, institutes and technical specialists.

This approach reflects a long-term mindset, supported by sustained investment in research, talent, and operational capabilities. 

Our scientific understanding of mineral properties and process interactions allows us to design products aligned with your operational constraints, performance targets, and safety requirements. 

Our approach includes: 

• Automated, reliable and safe quarrying and treatment operations 
• Kilns selected and operated to ensure maximum process compatibility 
• Continuous improvement in energy‑efficiency and transition toward low-carbon fuels 
• Continuous reduction of by-products through responsible raw material management 

The results: consistent product quality, greater operational stability and measurable efficiency gains across your operations. 

Our R&D teams focus on solutions that help customers address evolving regulatory and environmental expectations in areas such as: 

• Water treatment 
• Flue gas treatment 
• Agriculture and soil improvement 
• Steel and metallurgical efficiency 
• Civil engineering 
• Building materials 
• Glass manufacturing 
• Pulp & paper  
• Non-ferrous metallurgical processing 
• Chemicals

Our research centers act as hubs for training, laboratory validation, pilot-scale testing and full‑scale industrial trials either at our facilities or directly at your site. 

Through close collaboration with customers and scientific partners, we continuously refine existing solutions and design new mineral-based concepts that enhance performance and expand your application possibilities. 

Our pilot-scale facilities enable us to: 

• Simulate real industrial operating conditions 
• Test new methodologies 
• Expand product portfolios 
• Improve product consistency and process efficiency 

With more than 1,000 identified limestone, dolomite and mineral types worldwide, our scientific teams tailor chemical and physical properties to deliver reliable and high‑performance industrial solutions. 

We explore new market opportunities in collaboration with customers across all our sectors. 
These initiatives rely on structured partnerships with customers, academic institutions, research organizations, and private experts, supported by dedicated talent and financial resources.

Our innovation strategy is supported by a robust intellectual property portfolio with nearly 100 innovations and 600 granted or pending patents