Storing carbon in recycled concrete

Each cubic metre of a new recycled concrete stores up to 10 kilogrammes of captured carbon dioxide

Spotted: Drawing on a mixture of direct air capture and biogenic sources, Switzerland’s neustark permanently stores carbon dioxide from the air in a new, more sustainable concrete material. This material includes recycled concrete from one of the world’s largest waste streams – demolished buildings. This reduces the need for new resources, while preventing further additions to landfill.

Neustark uses a process called mineral carbonation where the captured CO2 enriches recycled concrete granules. This both stores the carbon and reduces the amount of emissions-heavy cement required. Up to 10 kilogrammes of CO2 is stored in every cubic metre of fresh concrete produced using this methodology. Neustark spent nearly two years developing its processes – attaining certification from the Gold Standard for the Global Goals organisation. The company is the first in the world to earn this qualification for a tech-based system.

For construction businesses interested in using the more sustainable concrete, neustark creates a bespoke production process that includes commercial-scale testing. The company then provides either a mobile or stationary production unit that integrates into an organisation’s existing infrastructure. Builders and architects can buy the concrete on a project-by-project basis, and neustark also offers Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) credits for individuals and organisations. By 2025, neustark hopes to be providing climate neutral concrete through the development of additional technology.

Sequestering carbon is increasingly seen as an essential strand in combating global warming, and innovations in this area that Springwise has spotted include materials that make carbon capture more efficient and using the pollution in new ways like house paint.