Novel cement can absorb CO2

Researchers have developed a sustainable cement that can absorb more CO2 than it uses in production. Magnesium is used as an additive for this.

The immense influence of the construction industry on climate change has become apparent in recent years. About a quarter of all emissions go back to the sector. There is therefore a great opportunity in this area to reduce greenhouse gases.

Because a growing world population does not have to accelerate climate change in this context. If we act now, we can even save emissions. A new approach shows promising first results.

Magnesium ions, which are abundant in seawater, may soon be converted to cement. This is made possible by a manufacturing process that requires the same amount of energy as conventional cement, but ultimately extracts more CO2 from the environment.

Magnesium cement binds CO2 during production

But how can the process be climate negative? This is made possible by the structure of the magnesium ions. On the one hand, they already remove CO2 from our environment in nature. On the other hand, in order for the magnesium cement to be formed from the ions, it has to react with CO2. In this way, the greenhouse gas is already absorbed during production.

The stability of the cement is already guaranteed after two days. But there is still one obstacle: The new material is not as resilient as the common Portland cement. A use is initially only possible on pedestrian paths or fences.

Magnesium cement can make the construction industry more sustainable

But every gram of CO2 saved can make a big difference. In the construction industry in particular, change is more important than ever. Because with the increase in people in the metropolitan areas, there is a need for new roads, paths and buildings.

The idea seems attractive precisely because of its simplicity and the sufficient availability of seawater. So maybe in the foreseeable future we will be walking on a footpath made of sustainable magnesium cement.

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