Are There Alternatives to Concrete?

One of the world's pressing contemporary dilemmas centers on concrete, a well-established and widely used material that has recently come under scrutiny for its significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. This arises from the energy-intensive nature of cement production and all the chemical reactions involved. To put this into perspective, it is estimated that concrete production accounts for around 8% of the world's annual emissions, resulting in the release of 11 million tons of CO? into the atmosphere every day, and also consumes approximately 9% of the world's annual industrial water use. Adding to the complexity of this issue, global demand for cement and concrete is projected to rise. With the world's building stock set to double by 2060, this growth is equivalent to building an entire New York City every month for the next 36 years, intensifying the challenges posed by its environmental impact.

From scientific studies investigating the remarkable self-repairing capacity of Roman concrete, recycling initiatives, and innovations exploring the use of algae in concrete production, both the research community and the industry are committed to finding solutions that reduce the environmental impact of this material. In this edition of the Building Future Newsletter, we have selected a series of articles that explore the vast array of alternatives to conventional concrete, making it possible to use this remarkable material without threatening the future of our planet.

What is your opinion on it? See you in the next edition.

Eduardo Souza, Senior Editor, Brands & Materials

Is it Possible to Grow Cement? Prometheus Materials and the Transformation of Concrete

Explore the impressive properties of Prometheus Materials' zero-carbon bio-concrete, a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete.

Is Roman Concrete Self-Healing? Research Reveals the Reason for Its Long-Lasting Durability

There is a self-healing reaction of the cracks inside the cement, which occurs spontaneously and indefinitely.?

CO?-Reduced Concrete Fa?ade Panels for Greener Buildings

Rieder aims to be “Climate Positive” by 2030 and does so by building new green headquarters.

Concrete Jungles: 6 Cement Alternatives that can Reduce its Impact in Cities

There are some possibilities to make cement and concrete production more green and even replace them in some traditional uses.

Concrete Recycling Is Already a Reality

Sika has developed a highly efficient process to separate and reuse demolished concrete components while increasing the quality of recycled aggregates.

“Achieving Sustainable Construction Is First Using the Right Material for the Right Job”: In Conversation With Seratech

Discover how Seratech's carbon-negative concrete revolutionizes the construction industry. Learn about their plans for scaling up this innovative process.