Concrete Change: Olivine Powers Carbon-Negative Construction

The construction industry is a significant contributor to global CO? emissions, with traditional cement production accounting for roughly 8% of the total.? This poses a major challenge in the fight against climate change. However, recent advancements offer a glimmer of hope: the development of carbon-negative cement using a readily available mineral called olivine.

Olivine, a common component of the Earth's mantle found on every continent, holds immense potential for sustainable construction.?Seratech, a UK-based company, has pioneered a process to harness olivine's properties for creating a revolutionary cement with a negative carbon footprint.

Olivine: A Multifaceted Solution

The brilliance of this approach lies in olivine's unique composition. It contains silica, a crucial element for cement strength and durability. Additionally, olivine can be processed to extract magnesium sulphate, a salt that reacts with CO? to form nesquehonite, a mineral that permanently traps the greenhouse gas.

Seratech's process involves dissolving powdered olivine in sulphuric acid. The resulting solution is separated to yield silica and magnesium sulphate. CO?, potentially captured from industrial emissions or directly from the air, is then introduced to the magnesium sulphate solution, triggering the formation of nesquehonite. This creates a closed-loop system with the potential for significant environmental benefits.

Scaling Up for Sustainability

According to Seratech's estimates, replacing 35% of traditional cement with silica derived from olivine would result in carbon-neutral concrete.?Furthermore, exceeding this threshold – by substituting up to 55% (the current limit allowed by building standards) – could achieve carbon negativity.

While robust testing with large-scale production remains necessary, the potential for significant reduction and even removal of CO? from the construction industry is undeniably exciting.

Expert Insight and Future Considerations

Dr. Rafael Santos of the University of Guelph acknowledges the promise of Seratech's approach, highlighting the utilisation of well-established chemical reactions.?However, he cautions that the recycling of certain chemicals involved might require further development.

Overall, the use of olivine in cement production presents a groundbreaking and practical solution for tackling the construction industry's carbon footprint. Further research and development, coupled with industry-wide adoption, could pave the way for a more sustainable future in construction.