Concrete is widely used in water networks, retaining walls, bridges, tunnels and other civil infrastructure, but cracking can expose reinforcement to moisture and corrosive substances. Repairs can require inspections, specialist labor, material removal and restricted access to operating infrastructure. Mimicrete, founded in 2021 as a spinout from the University of Cambridge, is developing self-healing concrete designed to address cracks from within a structure. The technology uses an embedded vascular network to carry healing agents to cracks that intersect the network, allowing localized repair without workers having to apply repair materials directly to each affected area.

The design draws on biological vascular structures, which transport fluids through interconnected pathways. During construction, the network is incorporated into the concrete structure. When a crack reaches the network, a healing agent can be delivered to the damaged area, where it fills the crack and helps seal the concrete. The technology is designed to permit repeated healing rather than rely on a single-use capsule or an externally applied repair. Projected benefits include a potential threefold increase in structural lifespan, recovery of more than 80% of structural performance and lifecycle cost savings of 40%–60%. These figures remain projections rather than independently established results across different infrastructure types, and performance will depend on the application, crack characteristics and validation under operating conditions.

Full-Scale Construction Trial

In July 2026, Mimicrete tested its self-healing concrete technology at Anglian Water’s Walton Terminal Pumping Station project in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. Completed on July 17, the installation involved Anglian Water, its @one Alliance programme and geotechnical contractor Bachy Soletanche. Mimicrete’s vascular network was attached to a full-size reinforcement cage for a diaphragm wall, which was then lowered into the trench using the site’s standard construction procedures. The trial assessed whether the network could withstand routine site handling and be incorporated into existing construction processes without requiring a separate installation procedure or major changes to the reinforcement arrangement.

The network remained attached during handling and lowering, and no visible damage was observed during installation. Post-casting checks are intended to assess the network’s continuity and access after concrete placement. Further testing can examine whether healing agents reach and seal cracks that intersect the network once the wall is complete. These checks will help determine whether the technology performs beyond installation and functions as intended within a finished structure. The project also marked Mimicrete’s first collaboration with Bachy Soletanche, extending its work with infrastructure owners and contractors. Results from subsequent testing will be important for assessing the technology’s suitability for other construction projects.

Water Infrastructure Commercialization

Anglian Water’s work with Mimicrete is linked to an innovation programme associated with Innovate UK’s Investor Partnerships programme. The collaboration examines potential uses for self-healing technology in water infrastructure, where concrete structures face moisture exposure, and repairs can require access to difficult locations or interruptions to operations. The Walton installation allows the partners to assess the installation process within an active construction project. It also provides information for engineering consultants and contractors evaluating whether an embedded healing network can be specified for future infrastructure projects without major changes to established construction procedures.

Mimicrete has also pursued investor and international industry connections as it prepares the technology for deployment. In February 2026, Mimicrete presented its work at Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures Demo Day after participating in the programme for five months. In March, it began work with Anglian Water on potential uses for more resilient water infrastructure. In May, Mimicrete engaged with Singapore’s climate and innovation ecosystem to showcase the technology and develop connections across the region’s climate and construction sectors. The company was also included in the Startups 100 Index for 2026. These milestones mark activity across infrastructure trials, investor engagement and international outreach, while commercial revenue, purchase orders and widespread adoption remain separate measures of progress.

Commercial Deployment Prospects

Mimicrete’s commercial prospects depend on demonstrating reliable crack sealing and long-term performance across different concrete structures while meeting established design, manufacturing and construction requirements. The Walton project tested whether the vascular network could be incorporated into a full-size reinforcement cage and pass through normal site handling. Post-casting checks and subsequent assessments of healing performance will help determine what further testing is needed before infrastructure owners specify the technology for larger projects. Buyers will also need to assess installation costs, maintenance requirements, compatibility with project designs and the durability of the healing agent over the service life of a structure.

The technology is intended for infrastructure applications where concrete cracking can lead to costly inspection and repair work, including water assets and other civil engineering structures. An embedded network offers a way to deliver healing agents to cracks from within the concrete rather than rely entirely on external repairs after damage appears. Adoption will depend on evidence from construction trials, tests after concrete placement, and results from structures exposed to operating conditions. The July 2026 installation tested the technology within a full-scale construction sequence, providing information on site integration and handling. Further testing will determine how widely the technology can be used and whether its projected lifespan, maintenance and emissions benefits can be achieved in service. For infrastructure owners, the commercial question remains whether the cost of installing the network can be justified by measurable reductions in repair work and the long-term expense of maintaining concrete assets.

ABOUT | DR. LIZ ZIJING LI

Dr. Liz Zijing Li is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Mimicrete, a Cambridge, UK-based materials technology company developing self-healing concrete. She developed the company’s vascular self-healing technology during her Ph.D. research in engineering at the University of Cambridge, where she studied biomimetic materials and concrete crack repair. Before focusing on Mimicrete, Li worked in management consulting at Deloitte from 2021 to 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from China University of Geosciences in Beijing and a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Cambridge. Li has received recognition through the UKRI Women in Innovation Awards and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB). Under her leadership, Mimicrete is developing its technology for infrastructure applications, including water utilities, with industry collaborations and international commercial activity in the UK and Singapore.