Concrete is among one of the most consumed materials in the world, second only to water, according to MIT Climate Portal, but it is also one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gas emissions, with one study suggesting it accounts for 7% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. So, then, how can we rebuild our infrastructure and our cities to be smarter and more resilient without concrete producing a high amount of emissions?
The U.S. Dept. of Energy and C-Crete Technologies have an idea. The government will give C-Crete Technologies $950,000 to expand the types of materials it can use to make its cement-free concrete, which uses locally available feedstocks to make its concrete more accessible, eliminating the need for shipping.
This comes on the heels of C-Crete’s announcement this past summer that it had its first cement-free concrete pour in Seattle. The cement-free concrete is a sustainable alternative to Portland cement that produces almost no CO2 in its manufacturing and actually absorbs CO2 from the air over time.
Here is how this can help:
- Decrease carbon-dioxide emissions.
- Manufacture concrete materials with low footprints that meet or exceed standards.
- Convert local materials to cementitious binders, reducing shipping.
Looking to the future, C-Crete will continue to further advance its technology by exploring and converting more abundant and eco-friendly feedstocks into its binders. Of course, this is simply one example. We can except to see new materials emerge in the years ahead with a focus on improving sustainability for all.