Concrete has long been the bedrock of modern infrastructure, but it’s also one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Now, researchers are changing this narrative, moving cement-based materials from contributors of carbon emissions to tools for carbon capture. Recent discoveries by teams from Chiba University, MIT, and others show that cement can absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, a process known as carbonation, providing new hope for reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint.
“This research highlights how we can use cement, one of the most commonly used materials on Earth, to tackle climate change. It’s exciting to see how simple additives like sodium bicarbonate can significantly enhance carbon capture while maintaining concrete’s mechanical strength,”
said Admir Masic, Associate Professor at MIT.
This sentiment is echoed by Associate Professor Takahiro Ohkubo from Chiba University, whose team has been studying the carbonation process under various conditions.
“Our work reveals that water transport and structural changes in cement play a crucial role in how well it absorbs CO₂. This new understanding could lead to more efficient carbon capture materials for the construction industry,”
Industry leaders are also paying attention to these breakthroughs. The Concrete Sustainability Hub at MIT, supported by the Portland Cement Association, believes these innovations can be pivotal in meeting global carbon reduction goals.
“By capturing carbon during early stages of cement production, we could potentially lower the material’s carbon footprint, making it part of the solution rather than the problem,”
said a representative from the Concrete Advancement Foundation.
While these advancements are promising, challenges remain. As Ippei Maruyama, another leading researcher from the University of Tokyo, points out,
“Accelerating carbonation processes must be balanced with long-term material performance. We’re optimistic, but further research is needed to understand the effects on concrete’s durability over time”
With continued focus on improving both the environmental and mechanical performance of concrete, the construction industry could soon be building more sustainably. These findings not only signal a potential breakthrough in carbon capture but also lay the groundwork for carbon-neutral construction in the near future.
