The transition to low-carbon concrete requires a rapid implementation of new alternative binders also in infrastructure projects. The Swedish Road Administration requires analysis of early cracking risk in projects with massive structures (bridges, tunnels, etc.). This analysis needs determination of material parameters at a young age using e.g. the temperature-stress testing machine (TSTM) which are very time consuming. Today, these tests are performed in Sweden without a standard on limited laboratory resources, which was identified as the most critical hinder for rapid implementation of new cements on the market. This study explores how young concrete material parameters can be derived more easily, quickly and in a more verifiable way. This paper analyses the literature concerning the testing methods for mechanical properties and free deformation of concrete at early age and presents findings from a study on determination of maturity function and activation energy by isothermal calorimetry and mortar tests. The latter presents promising results that could be used to test those basic binder properties and extrapolate them into concrete level.