C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite e.V.

What C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. does

C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. is a registered German non-profit membership association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Dresden, Saxony, that functions as the world's largest carbon concrete industry and research network. Founded in the mid-2010s out of the carbon concrete research program at TU Dresden's Institut für Massivbau, the association aggregates more than 200 member companies across the full carbon concrete value chain — carbon fiber producers (SGL Carbon, solidian), specialty concrete suppliers (PAGEL, Holcim, BASF), engineering firms (CARBOCON, AIB), precast manufacturers (Betonwerk Oschatz) and contractors (Hentschke Bau). In 2021 C³ merged with Tudalit e.V., creating the global leading association in the field.

The association's commercial core is the Carbonbeton (carbon reinforced concrete) material system: a composite of high-performance concrete reinforced with non-metallic carbon fiber mats and rods (instead of steel rebar). The system is documented to enable up to 80% material savings versus conventional steel-reinforced concrete, a service life exceeding 200 years, and 50–70% CO₂ emission reductions, while permitting significantly thinner structural elements (walls as thin as 4 cm). End-of-life recyclability is enabled via camera-based sorting and air-jet separation that recovers up to 98% of carbon reinforcement. C³ has built an institutional moat around the technology through RAL-RG 351 (occupational safety certification co-developed with BAuA and BG BAU), 15 DIBt general building approvals covering products from Schöck ComBAR to solidian GRID to the CARBOrefit strengthening method, and contributions to the DAfStb guideline on non-metallic reinforcement.

C³'s business model is membership-fee-based (a subscription/recurring revenue Verband structure) with no publicly disclosed pricing tiers, supplemented by paid training (Basiskurs Carbonbeton), ticketed events (Carbonbetontage annual conference), webinars, and government-funded research programs. Member-facing infrastructure includes the C³Cloud portal (listing 230+ certified products), the C³Academy training division, and a C³Saxony sub-brand driving the BAU 2027 trade fair presence. The lighthouse asset is the CUBE — the world's first building made entirely of carbon concrete, inaugurated in Dresden in September 2022 — which functions as a permanent public demonstration and policy-engagement platform.

Name

C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite e.V.

Legal name

C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite e. V.

Website

https://carbon-concrete.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. is a German non-profit membership association headquartered in Dresden, aggregating 200+ companies across the carbon reinforced concrete (Carbonbeton) value chain to drive standards, DIBt building approvals, training, and adoption of carbon-fiber reinforced concrete in construction and infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Materials Industry Association

NAICS

Cement and Concrete Product Manufacturing (3273), Cement Manufacturing (327310)

SIC

Concrete Products, Except Block & Brick (3272), Concrete, Gypsum & Plaster Products (3270)

akta.pro primary industry

Cement Manufacturing (Portland, Blended & Specialty) (IMADAAAG)

Keywords

• Carbon reinforced concrete
• Non-metallic reinforcement
• Construction materials association
• Sustainable building materials
• Concrete recycling technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Dresden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: C³ e.V. operates as a member-based association (Verband) whose primary revenue stream comes from membership fees paid by industry participants — manufacturers, construction companies, engineering firms, precast plants, and research institutions. Members gain access to the C³Cloud portal, technical resources, RAL-RG 351 certification, regulatory support, training (C³Academy), webinars, and networking events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. is a German non-profit industry association that promotes carbon concrete (Carbonbeton) technology, a composite material replacing steel reinforcement with carbon fibers in concrete construction. It aggregates 200+ member companies across the carbon concrete value chain (fiber producers, precast manufacturers, engineering firms, contractors), manages the RAL-RG 351 quality standard and 15 DIBt general building approvals, and provides member services through the C³Cloud portal, C³Academy training programs, webinars, and the annual Carbonbetontage conference.

Product overview

C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. is a German association representing the carbon concrete industry. The core offering is Carbonbeton (carbon concrete) - a composite material of concrete with carbon fiber reinforcements. The association's members collectively offer over 230 products related to non-metallic reinforcement in concrete construction, including mat and rod-shaped reinforcements, spacers, clips, and prefabricated elements. Supporting services include C³Cloud (member resource platform), C³Academy (training and education), C³Webinare (webinar series), and the RAL-RG 351 quality certification for workplace safety.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C³Academy: Educational and training division offering webinars, courses, and knowledge transfer programs on carbon concrete technology.
• C³Cloud
• C³Saxony
• C³Standard
• C³Nachhaltigkeit
• C³Webinare
• Basiskurs Carbonbeton

Products and services

• Carbonbeton (Carbon Concrete) A composite construction material of concrete reinforced with non-metallic carbon fiber mats and rods, enabling ultra-thin structural elements (as thin as 4 cm), service life exceeding 200 years, up to 80% material savings, and 50–70% CO2 reduction versus steel-reinforced concrete. Promoted and standardized by C³ for use by construction industry members.
• C³Cloud Member Portal A cloud-based member-exclusive digital platform providing access to product catalogs (230+ products), approval listings, sustainability and recycling fact sheets, LCA documentation, standard procedures, and additional resources for carbon concrete industry stakeholders.
• C³Academy Educational and training division offering the Basiskurs Carbonbeton (Carbon Concrete Basic Course), workshops, and certification programs to train engineers, architects, and construction professionals in carbon concrete design and application.
• Basiskurs Carbonbeton (Carbon Concrete Basic Course) A foundational training course on carbon concrete technology available in German and English, providing comprehensive knowledge about the material, its applications, design, and implementation for engineers and construction professionals.
• C³Webinare (Webinar Series) An ongoing series of online seminars covering topics including carbon concrete design and calculation, reinforcement methods, facade systems, infrastructure bidding, EU taxonomy, CO2 storage in concrete, structural monitoring with fiber optics, and practical case studies.
• RAL-RG 351 Certification A RAL quality and testing regulation ensuring that carbon fiber types used in mat and rod reinforcements in concrete construction have safe fracture behavior and fiber morphology, preventing health-relevant fiber dust release during the product lifecycle. Developed with BAuA and BG BAU.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 80% material (concrete and sand) savings compared to steel-reinforced concrete
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• BMWK – Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (Round Table Carbonbeton)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024BMWK co-organized the 'Round Table Carbonbeton' initiative with C³ to drive rapid scaling of carbon concrete through standardization and norm-setting. Held November 14, 2024, the event brought together industry stakeholders to identify pathways for mass market adoption and competitive advantage for Germany.
• Holcim (Deutschland) GmbHmajorTechnology or Integration · 24 April 2024Holcim (formerly LafargeHolcim) partnered with C³ to present the CPC (Carbon Prestressed Concrete) plank system, which uses Holcim concrete with carbon prestressing. Holcim is promoting ultra-thin, high-performance carbon concrete planks with significant material savings, collaborating on the DIBt approval pathway.
• Drees & Sommer SEminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 February 2024Drees & Sommer, a leading international project management and consulting firm, partnered with C³ to deliver a webinar on EU Taxonomy and ESG requirements for the construction industry (February 2024). Provides sustainability consulting expertise to help C³ members navigate ESG reporting requirements.
• LAB – Bundeszentrum für Bauforschung (Bautzen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2023The LAB (Bundeszentrum für Bauforschung) is a major new federal construction research center to be established in Bautzen, Saxony. Funding of ~€69–450 million from federal and state sources was announced in 2023. C³ members Hentschke Bau are founding partners, and the center will serve as a hub for carbon concrete research and industrialization.
• HTWK Leipzig – Institut für BetonbaumajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig) operates the Carbonbetontechnikum (Carbon Concrete Technology Center) in Engelsdorf, a model factory demonstrating carbon concrete production processes. The institute is a member of C³ and a partner in the federal research consortium, contributing to education and applied research.
• TU Dresden – Institut für Massivbau (Institute for Concrete Construction)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2022TU Dresden's Institute for Concrete Construction (Institut für Massivbau), led by Prof. Manfred Curbach, is the founding research institution of C³ and the Bauherr (client) of the CUBE project. The institute serves as the academic anchor of the entire carbon concrete research ecosystem. Curbach also serves as Chairman of the C³ e.V. Board, creating a deep institutional tie between the association and the university.
• BASF Polyurethanes GmbHmajorTechnology or Integration · 28 September 2022Provided Slentite high-performance aerogel insulation for the CUBE building's Thermodoppelwände (thermo double walls), enabling wall thicknesses of just 27 cm while maintaining superior thermal insulation. The partnership enabled the ultra-thin wall construction of the CUBE.
• PAGEL Spezial-Beton GmbH & Co. KGmajorTechnology or Integration · 28 September 2022Developed a special high-performance concrete mix specifically for the CUBE project, used in the sprayed concrete process for the TWIST shell elements. The concrete's high fluidity and small maximum aggregate size enabled it to flow through the fine mesh of the carbon reinforcement.
• SGL Carbon SEmajorTechnology or Integration · 28 September 2022Carbon fiber supplier for the CUBE project, providing carbon rods that were embedded in the CUBE's sign/column structures manufactured at the Otto Mohr Laboratory of TU Dresden's Institute for Concrete Construction.
• Schöck Bauteile GmbHmajorTechnology or Integration · 28 September 2022Provided glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) bars (ComBAR) as connectors for the Thermodoppelwände of the CUBE. Also offers Schöck Isolink connectors for dual-wall systems. DIBt approved for GFRP reinforcement. Longstanding C³ member.
• AIB – Architekten Ingenieure Bautzen GmbHmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 September 2022General planner for the CUBE project, responsible for the architectural and structural execution of the world's first carbon concrete building. Led by architect Marén Kupke. Played a key role in translating the innovative material into buildable structural systems.
• CARBOCON GMBHmajorTechnology or Integration · 28 September 2022Structural engineering firm responsible for planning and calculating the static design of the CUBE's carbon concrete sign structures. Also provides quality assurance for CUBE precast elements at Betonwerk Oschatz. Led by Prof. Alexander Schumann, CARBOCON offers the CARBOrefit carbon concrete strengthening system with DIBt approval.
• Bendl HTS Hoch- und Tiefbau GmbH & Co. KGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 September 2022Partner in the CUBE Arbeitsgemeinschaft with Hentschke Bau. Produced precast carbon concrete elements for the CUBE BOX section at Betonwerk Oschatz. Also produced floating house elements for Autartec. Member of C³ since 2014.
• HENN (Architekturbüro)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 September 2022Concept designer of the CUBE, the world's first carbon concrete building. HENN's design interpreted the flexible textile character of carbon fibers through the flowing merger of ceiling and wall into a single organic form — demonstrating the free-form design potential of carbon concrete architecture.
• solidian GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Leading manufacturer of carbon and glass fiber reinforcements for concrete. Supplied carbon grid and mat reinforcement (solidian GRID) for the CUBE building and many other projects. Holds DIBt approval Z-1.6-308 for solidian GRID. Offers the solidian Green product line for environmentally friendly non-metallic reinforcement. Founding member of C³.
• Tudalit e.V. (Merger)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2021C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. and Tudalit e.V. merged in March 2021, creating the world's largest carbon concrete association. The merger consolidated the research-oriented C³ with Tudalit's industry network, substantially expanding the combined membership base and expertise.
• Hentschke Bau GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 January 2020Lead contractor in the Arbeitsgemeinschaft (working group) with Bendl HTS for the CUBE project. Also involved in the Carolabrücke Dresden rehabilitation using carbon concrete. Longstanding member of C³ since 2014. Contributed to the structural design and construction of key carbon concrete pilot projects.
• Betonwerk Oschatz GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 January 2020Precast concrete manufacturer that produced the Thermodoppelwände and other precast elements for the CUBE project. Implemented a partially automated production process combining carbon reinforcement laying with high-performance concrete casting. Invested €4.5 million in a new mixing plant in 2023 to expand carbon concrete production capacity.
• BAuA – Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und ArbeitsmedizinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health collaborated with C³ in developing RAL-RG 351, ensuring that carbon fiber types used in construction have safe fracture behavior and do not release health-relevant fiber dust. Essential for worker safety standards and regulatory acceptance.
• BG BAU – Berufsgenossenschaft der BauwirtschaftmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Construction Industry Employers' Liability Insurance Association partnered with C³ in developing RAL-RG 351, providing expertise on occupational health and safety in construction. Ensured that the standard is aligned with existing construction safety regulations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Heidelberg Materials AG: One of the world's largest cement and concrete producers; competes in sustainable construction materials and could enter carbon concrete directly via its evoBuild and CCUS-focused product lines.
• SGL Carbon SE: Global carbon fiber and graphite materials incumbent; supplied carbon rods for CUBE and operates broadly across carbon-based industrial materials — overlaps C³'s upstream reinforcement supply chain.
• BASF SE: Global chemicals incumbent; supplied Slentite high-performance aerogel insulation for the CUBE and operates across construction chemicals — a potential partner/competitor across the construction value chain.
• Holcim (Deutschland) GmbH: Major cement and aggregates incumbent co-developing CPC Carbon Prestressed Concrete plank systems with C³ (DIBt Z-71.3-42); operates broadly across construction materials and competes in sustainable concrete.

Emerging players

• Sto SE & Co. KGaA: Building envelope and CFRP strengthening systems provider via StoCretec (DIBt Z-36.12-88); offers competing carbon-fiber-based structural strengthening solutions adjacent to CARBOrefit.
• PAGEL Spezial-Beton GmbH & Co. KG: Specialty high-performance concrete producer; developed the bespoke concrete mix used in CUBE sprayed elements and partners with C³ on carbon concrete applications.
• thyssenkrupp Carbon Components GmbH: Industrial carbon fiber components subsidiary of thyssenkrupp; overlapping interest in carbon-based structural applications and a C³ ecosystem participant.

Direct peers

• Solidian GmbH: Leading manufacturer of carbon and glass fiber non-metallic reinforcements for concrete construction; supplies solidian GRID (DIBt Z-1.6-308) used in CUBE and many C³ member projects. Founding C³ member and the most direct material peer.
• CARBOCON GMBH: Specialist structural engineering firm for carbon concrete design and the CARBOrefit strengthening method (DIBt Z-31.10-182); provides design tools and quality assurance for C³ member precasters.
• Schöck Bauteile GmbH: Manufacturer of ComBAR GFRP reinforcement bars (DIBt Z-1.6-238) and Isolink connectors; competes directly with carbon fiber reinforcement as an alternative non-metallic solution and is a longstanding C³ member.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carbonbeton
• Instagraminstagram.com/carbonconcrete_

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about C³ - Carbon Concrete Composite e.V.