WITH CLIMATE change acting as the greatest threat facing the planet, Donal Ó Riain's vision was to pioneer the use of low-carbon technology in the cement sector.

In 2000 he set up Ecocem to produce high quality, environmentally friendly cement from a byproduct of the steel industry.

The confidence of steel industry suppliers was won to obtain consistent supplies. Funds of €22 million were raised and a 30 per cent reduction in capital barriers-to-entry was achieved by Ecocem designing and building its own state-of-the-art plants in the Netherlands and Ireland.

Today, Ecocem produces 700,000 tonnes of green cement per year, and reduces CO2 emissions by 630,000 tonnes annually.

Ecocem's green cement is the most important low-carbon technology in use outside of the renewable energy sector in Ireland.

The reduction in CO2 emissions to date in Ireland now exceeds one million tonnes. This means annual savings of €7.5 million for the country in the cost of meeting Ireland's Kyoto objectives: every tonne of product supplied by Ecocem saves the taxpayer €22 in Kyoto compliance costs.

In 2007, Saint Gobain, the world's largest building materials company, invested in a 30 per cent share in Ecocem; and ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel company, took a 30 per cent share in a new project in the south of France to double Ecocem's capacity.

This puts Ecocem in the unique position of having the two biggest companies in its supply and market sectors as strategic, minority partners to accelerate global growth.

Ecocem has a turnover of €40 million and employs 60 employees.

Product/Service:Ecocem produces technically superior, green cement. Ecocem's green cement produces one-sixteenth of the CO2 emissions of ordinary cement and virtually no other pollutants. It is the first Irish company to provide certified carbon offsets from an Irish project.

Ecocem assists companies and the public to measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprints. A portion of receipts from offset sales are used to promote exemplary CO2 reduction projects and adaptation of the impact of climate change.

The first carbon neutral concrete in the world was poured in Ireland in 2008 using a combination of Ecocem green cement and carbon offsets.

Customers: Ecocem supplies concrete manufacturers throughout Ireland. Major projects supplied are the Convention Centre Dublin, Lansdowne Road Stadium, and all NRA road bridges.

Ecocem supplies carbon offsets to companies, individuals, projects and products wishing to become carbon neutral.

Major customers include Treasury Holdings, Pierse Construction, Durkan Group and Aviva/Hibernian Insurance.

QA: Donal Ó Riain

What vision prompted you to start up in business?

The paradox of construction today: when we build, we destroy. Climate change is the greatest threat to the planet, and construction releases 19 per cent of CO2 emissions.

Ecocem is Ireland's first independent and specialist producer of Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) cement, reducing the carbon footprint of building and construction.

What motivates you to succeed? Who do you measure yourself/your success against?

Motivation comes from doing something both worthwhile and rewarding.

I set my own objectives: past achievements are important only to provide the means to take on new challenges.

Are there any interesting facts surrounding your business?

In 10 years, Toyota hybrid technology has revolutionised the car industry, saving 1.38 million tonnes of CO2 emissions worldwide.

Ecocem has saved 50 per cent more CO2 emissions in 50 per cent less time!