ORIS Materials Intelligence, a digital startup pioneering sustainable design for roads and other linear infrastructure, unveiled in its 2024 Impact Report key findings, the power of AI and geospatial insights to drive decarbonisation, circularity, and cost-efficiency at scale in road infrastructure. This report underscores how digital intelligence can be a transformative lever for infrastructure planning, unlocking climate and financial benefits without compromising performance.

Finding #1: AI and Data Science to Mitigate Road Construction GHG Emissions

ORIS identified levers to avoid over 3 million tonnes of CO₂ eq. in 2024 through 16 road projects

Through the 16 consulting projects achieved in 2024, the startup used its innovative AI-powered digital platform to identify for its clients levers and solutions that would avoid 3.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions in road projects—equivalent to the annual emissions of nearly one million cars.

At a time when the road sector accounts for more than 12% of global CO₂ emissions (source: WRI), ORIS’s AI and data-driven approach is demonstrating that digitisation can cut carbon at scale—without increasing project costs.

“Construction materials account for 85% of road construction carbon emissions and impact 60% of its costs. Our platform puts that knowledge in the hands of decision-makers—early, accurately, and at scale,” said Nicolas Miravalls, ORIS Materials Intelligence CEO and co-founder. “With ORIS, sustainability is not an afterthought—it’s built in from day one.”

Finding #2: Recycled Materials: AI to Fast-Track Circularity

ORIS supported clients to identify how to reuse existing materials in their projects and preserve up to 4.4 million tonnes in primary resources in 2024

This figure illustrates the tangible impact of embracing circular economy principles in infrastructure development. Using its platform, ORIS supports clients in identifying the reuse of excavation materials from one part of the project to another. The ORIS platform also references over 44,000 material suppliers, including 7% of sites with recycled materials.

Finding #3: Data Shows that Sustainable Infrastructure Is not More Expensive

Key finding: ORIS helped identity savings amounting to $24 million for its clients in 2024

Contrary to the belief that sustainability increases costs, ORIS’s data-driven models identified combined budget savings of $24 million for clients in 2024. These were achieved by selecting smarter material combinations and favouring more durable solutions, reducing the need for early maintenance and repair. The evidence confirms that environmental and financial performance can go hand in hand.

Finding #4: A New Approach to Road Climate Resilience for Communities

More than 18,000 km of roads assessed for climate resilience, thanks to an innovative approach combining climate data, road vulnerability and socio-economic impact.

In 2024, ORIS assessed 18,553 km of roads for climate resilience, providing data-driven insights to build infrastructure that can withstand climate challenges with its innovative approach. In a significant case study in Central Asia, 7,765 km of road networks were assessed, identifying that 25% of these roads were highly vulnerable to climate hazards, impacting 30% of the local population. This AI-powered climate resilience assessment highlights how advanced methodologies can quantify the vulnerability of extensive infrastructure networks to climate change and understand the potential impact on communities, informing crucial adaptation measures such as material upgrades and improved drainage.

“We’re proving that digital tools can unlock massive carbon savings—while improving cost-efficiency and resilience,” added Renaud de Montaignac, ORIS Materials Intelligence COO and co-founder. “This is how the sector can truly build for the future.”

ORIS Material Intelligence 2024 Key Impact Figures: