Carbon capturing industrial materials: Building the future of sustainable industries

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• August 19, 2022

Insight summary

New materials that trap carbon dioxide are transforming the way we build, offering a cleaner future. These innovative materials, ranging from bamboo beams to metal-organic frameworks, can reduce environmental impact and improving sustainability in construction. Their widespread adoption can lead to healthier environments, economic growth in sustainable technologies, and significant progress in global carbon reduction efforts.

CO2 capturing industrial materials context

Carbon-friendly industrial materials are increasingly becoming a focus for companies seeking sustainable solutions. These companies are integrating technology capable of capturing carbon dioxide into traditional manufacturing processes. For instance, Australia-based Mineral Carbonation International's approach involves transforming carbon dioxide into building materials and other industrial products.

The company employs mineral carbonation, mimicking Earth's natural method of storing carbon dioxide. This process involves the reaction of carbonic acid with minerals, leading to the formation of carbonate. Carbonate is a compound that remains stable over long periods and has practical applications in construction. An example of natural carbon absorption is the White Cliffs of Dover, which owe their white appearance to the significant amount of carbon dioxide they have absorbed over millions of years.

The technology developed by Mineral Carbonation International is similar to a highly efficient system. In this system, industrial byproducts, such as steel slags or waste from incinerators, are converted into cement bricks and plasterboard. The company aims to capture and repurpose up to 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by the year 2040.

Disruptive impact

At the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, researchers are examining a material called Calgary framework-20 (CALF-20), created by a team from the University of Calgary. This material falls under the category of metal-organic frameworks, known for their microporous nature. Its ability to effectively capture carbon dioxide makes CALF-20 a promising tool in environmental management. When integrated into a column attached to a smokestack, it can convert harmful gases into less damaging forms. Svante, a technology company, is currently implementing this material in a cement plant to test its effectiveness in an industrial environment.

The effort to make construction more carbon-friendly has led to the creation of several unique materials. For example, Lamboo beams, crafted from bamboo, have a high carbon capture capacity. In contrast, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) panels made from rice straw eliminate the need for water-intensive rice cultivation while still locking in carbon. Furthermore, exterior thermal insulation systems constructed from wood fiber are less energy-intensive to produce compared to traditional spray foam options. Similarly, eco-friendly wooden panels, which are 22 percent lighter than standard wallboard, reduce transportation energy consumption by up to 20 percent, offering a more sustainable choice for building materials.

The use of carbon-capturing materials in construction can lead to healthier living environments and potentially lower energy costs. Companies can benefit from these innovations by enhancing their sustainability profiles and reducing their carbon footprints, which is increasingly valued by consumers and investors. For governments, the widespread adoption of these materials aligns with environmental goals and can significantly contribute to meeting global carbon reduction targets. Moreover, the economic implications include the potential creation of new industries and job opportunities in the field of sustainable materials and technologies.

Implications of CO2 capturing industrial materials

Wider applications of CO2/carbon capturing industrial materials may include:

• Increased research focused on decarbonizing metals and other elements, such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, steel, cement, and hydrogen.
• Governments incentivizing companies to produce more carbon-friendly materials, including grants and tax rebates.
• State/provincial governments gradually updating building codes to enforce the use of environmentally friendly industrial materials during building and infrastructure construction. 
• The industrial materials recycling industry growing significantly throughout the 2020s to accommodate increased market and legislated demand for recycled materials in construction projects.
• Large-scale implementation of CO2 capture technologies in plants and factories.
• More partnerships between research universities and technology firms to monetize green technologies.

Questions to consider

• How do you think decarbonization can change how buildings are constructed in the future?
• How else can governments encourage the production of carbon-friendly industrial materials?