Negative-Carbon Cement (NC2)

Value Proposition:

·        Manufacturing process for a net negative carbon cement product, as compared to net neutral or net positive products that lead to atmospheric CO₂ emissions

·        Addresses the need for greener building materials

·        Particularly relevant as regulations around greenhouse gas emission become tighter

·        Comparable strength and durability to standard cement products

Technology Description

·        Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a cement manufacturing and curing process that allows for net negative carbon emissions,

·        Alternative processes are used to produce the heat necessary to fire raw materials, cure the cement, and recapture carbon.

Recaptured CO₂ is solidified and incorporated into building materials.

Unmet Need

The cement industry produces 4 billion tons of CO₂ that is released into the atmosphere every year [Ramsden, 2020]. As climate change continues to progress and construction is not projected to slow, a “greener” approaches in the cement industry are needed. Currently, most cement and cement products are manufactured with a kiln that requires the burning of coal or natural gas, and are then cured by mixing with water. This contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and does not recapture any of the emitted CO₂. Therefore, there is a strong need develop cement manufacturing and curing methods that reduce CO₂ output and recapture emitted CO₂, addressing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of this necessary building material.

Stage of Development

Lab-based validation of the technology and process.

Publication

N/A