The construction industry is known to be one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide. However, a new process developed by researchers from the University of Tokyo could radically change this situation. Unveiled in 2021, this method enables the production of renewable concrete, using materials from demolished buildings and CO2 from the atmosphere. In this way, environmental damage is reduced and natural resources are preserved.

Concrete production from demolished buildings

The newly developed technology is called the “Calcium Carbonate Circulation System for Construction” (C4S for short). This method produces calcium carbonate concrete using concrete from demolished buildings and carbon dioxide from the air, instead of the limestone used in traditional concrete production. This process greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions as it eliminates the high thermal processes required in traditional concrete production.

Initial trials produced small, low-strength blocks, before larger, more durable blocks were created using concrete from a school building. These concrete blocks were made strong enough to be used in various areas such as housing construction and even pavement construction.

By 2024, a two-story house is planned to be built

The researchers aim to further develop the potential of this renewable concrete technology. Their goal is to build a two-story house using these concrete blocks by 2030. Many other companies are also looking at different ways to revolutionize the concrete industry. For example, there are companies that produce completely cement-free concrete.

You can find more details in the research published in the journal Advanced Concrete Technology. How do you think concrete produced from collapsed buildings will impact the world of construction? Don’t forget to share your views!