C-Crete Technologies, a materials science company based in the United States, has secured $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its innovative approach to capturing carbon dioxide and using it as an ingredient in cement-free, carbon-negative concrete. The company aims to revolutionize the construction industry by delivering superior infrastructure materials with a low carbon footprint, while also addressing the urgent issue of climate change.
The funding from the DOE highlights the importance of innovative solutions in reducing CO2 emissions. C-Crete’s founder and president, Rouzbeh Savary, stated that their goal is to create concrete that not only mitigates carbon emissions but actively contributes to reversing climate change. With this support, C-Crete’s concrete could become the first-ever ready-mix, cement-free product in the industry.
The construction industry is a major emitter of carbon, with buildings accounting for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions each year. The production of building materials, including cement, contributes around 50% of emissions from new construction. Cement production alone is responsible for 8% of these emissions, with carbon dioxide emissions reaching 1.7 billion metric tons in 2021. Concrete is considered one of the most challenging materials in terms of sustainability, and C-Crete Technologies aims to reduce the carbon footprint of this carbon-intensive material through its unique carbon removal technology.
C-Crete’s solution for concrete’s embodied carbon offers a scalable and innovative approach to carbon removal. The company’s carbon sequestration technology for cast-in-place concrete allows carbon dioxide to mix into the product during the curing process, eliminating the need for costly separation processes. This carbon-infused concrete can be stronger, tougher, and more durable than conventional mixtures. Additionally, C-Crete Technologies has developed a patented cement-free binder that uses locally available materials as inputs and releases almost no emissions during manufacturing. The binder continues to absorb CO2 from the air over time, making C-Crete’s concrete a viable alternative to ordinary Portland cement, which accounts for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.
C-Crete is not the only company working on carbon capture and utilization in the concrete industry. CarbonCure, another carbon removal company, has developed a similar solution that permanently locks captured CO2 into fresh concrete. The $2 million award from the DOE will enable C-Crete to further advance its technology and expand the range of materials it can use to produce cement-free concrete. This funding will also help the company reduce CO2 emissions from long-distance shipping.
With this new investment, C-Crete aims to demonstrate that its technology can convert more than 10 kilograms per day of high-performance, carbon-negative concrete, surpassing the performance of Portland concrete while mineralizing the net carbon. The company’s mission aligns with the urgent need to address the climate crisis by manufacturing sustainable and greener building materials that meet or exceed industry standards for concrete applications.
C-Crete Technologies’ innovative approach to carbon capture and utilization in the construction industry has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and contribute to the fight against climate change. With the support of the U.S. Department of Energy, the company is well-positioned to revolutionize the way concrete is produced and pave the way for a more sustainable future in infrastructure development.
