Low-Carbon Concrete
Concrete may be the backbone of modern infrastructure, but its carbon footprint makes it one of the toughest sectors to reform. Low-carbon concrete technologies are changing that by embedding captured CO₂ directly into the material — strengthening structures while permanently storing emissions. It’s a breakthrough that turns a global challenge into a scalable climate solution.
Concrete is the world’s most used man-made material — and one of its biggest emitters. Traditional cement production releases over 2.5 billion tons of CO₂ each year, about 8 % of global emissions.
CarbonCure, a Canadian cleantech firm, has developed a way to turn this challenge into an opportunity by embedding carbon capture directly into the production process.
The principle is simple yet revolutionary: inject captured CO₂ into wet concrete as it’s being mixed. Instead of escaping into the atmosphere, the gas reacts with calcium ions and turns into solid calcium carbonate — permanently trapped inside the structure.
The reaction also makes the concrete up to 10 % stronger, meaning less cement is needed per project, which further reduces emissions.
This innovation fits seamlessly into existing plants. No need to redesign equipment or retrain workers; CarbonCure’s retrofit system integrates into standard batching lines, making adoption both fast and cost-effective.
Over 800 concrete plants in North America, Europe, and Asia have already installed the technology, saving millions of tons of CO₂ while delivering higher-quality materials.
CarbonCure’s model has also created a new kind of carbon marketplace. By quantifying and certifying the amount of CO₂ locked in each batch, producers can generate verifiable carbon credits — giving construction companies an incentive to build cleaner.
As cities aim for net-zero building codes, low-carbon concrete offers an immediate, scalable solution.
From skyscrapers to highways, every ton of concrete produced with CarbonCure technology represents a step toward climate-positive construction.
It’s a clear reminder that sustainability doesn’t always mean sacrifice — sometimes, it means making things stronger.
