Startups are trying to create low-carbon cement to mitigate the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concrete pollutes the environment and the industry accounts for about 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, which is 6 percent of global emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Startups that produce low-carbon cement attract some of the most prominent venture capitalists, including Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Kleiner Perkins’ John Doerr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These startups received more than $100 million in venture capital last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company that finds the most efficient solution will greatly benefit from this industry, which earns at least $300 billion annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CarbonCure, a Canadian startup, has developed an add-on machine that injects CO2 once the cement is mixed with water and sand to produce concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This makes the concrete more resistant and permanently stores CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solidia takes a different approach, producing concrete paving stones similar to those used in landscaping by hardening the material into carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CarbonBuilt, another startup with roots at UCLA, develops concrete blocks that use less carbon-intensive raw materials and are cured with CO2 from flue gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world’s largest cement manufacturers are also racing to “green cement” before stricter rules can be introduced for the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Holcim plans to reduce emissions of cement-like material from 561 kg CO2 per tonne in 2019 to 550 kg in 2022 and to 475 kg in 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless, it will still be costly to produce carbon-free cement.<\/p>\n\n\n