Concrete is one of the world’s most widely used materials, but also one of its biggest environmental challenges. Thomas Petithuguenin is leading everox in a different direction: turning waste concrete into high-quality materials that can re-enter the construction chain.

Thomas did not start his career in a startup. He worked across renewable energy, aviation, transport and research before moving into the cement industry. After years in corporate environments, he chose a different path and became the first employee and CEO of Everox while the company was still a university spin-off.

5 Founder Facts.

1. TURNING WASTE CONCRETE INTO NEW MATERIALS.

Everox transforms waste concrete into high-quality substitutes for cement, aggregates and sand to cut global CO₂ emissions.

Instead of treating demolished concrete as waste, everox uses it as a resource for new building materials that can re-enter the construction chain.

2. CUTTING EMISSIONS BY UP TO 90%.

Everox’s technology cuts up to 90% of emissions versus traditional clinker production.

By reducing the need for conventional clinker and virgin raw materials, the technology targets one of the most carbon-intensive parts of the construction industry.

3. DECARBONISATION BEFORE EVEROX.

Before Everox, Thomas spent several years in leadership roles at FLSmidth, where he led cement decarbonisation.

For me, it’s really the freedom and being the master of my own destiny.

Thomas Petithuguenin, CEO of Everox.

4. THREE MASTER’S DEGREES.

Thomas holds three master’s degrees in Energy Management, Power Engineering and Environmental Engineering.

That technical and strategic background gives him a strong foundation for leading a company operating at the intersection of heavy industry, engineering and climate impact.

5. FROM TECHNOLOGY TO INDUSTRIAL SCALE.

Thomas steers everox towards commercial flagship facilities processing 150,000 tons of concrete annually.

Everox is now moving beyond pilot projects and towards industrial-scale facilities, with the ambition to make circular concrete commercially viable at much larger volumes.

Beyond the five facts.

Thomas’s story is also about what happens when someone leaves the security of corporate life for an early-stage company. At everox, the job is no longer limited to one clearly defined responsibility. Building the company means pitching repeatedly, hiring a team, shaping the culture and taking responsibility for decisions that directly affect its future.

That transition gave Thomas something he valued: greater ownership over the impact of his work. Rather than working on sustainability strategy from a distance, he moved closer to the technology and the challenge of bringing it into the market.