3D-printed concrete stores CO2 and reduces resource consumption
Researchers from Switzerland are working with European partners to develop concrete elements produced using 3D printers. The material used is virtually cement-free and can store carbon dioxide as it hardens.
Researchers at the Structural Engineering Laboratory of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) are working on the development of concrete elements produced using a 3D printer. According to a press release, the building elements are stable without traditional steel reinforcement and are virtually cement-free. The material is designed to store carbon dioxide as it cures.
The research is being carried out as part of the European CARBCOMN project (Carbon-negative compression dominant structures for decarbonised and de-constructable concrete buildings). Alongside Empa, researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) and the Empa spin-off re-fer in Seewen, as well as other European partners, are involved in the development.
The material for 3D printing is derived from recycled industrial waste, such as steel slag. Geometrically optimised shapes are produced using a special process. Iron-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMA) from re-fer are used as reinforcement. To cure this concrete, carbon dioxide is injected into a combustion chamber, where it chemically bonds with the concrete mixture. “We are combining unique expertise here – 3D printing, structural performance and our speciality: iron-based shape memory alloys,” Empa researcher Moslem Shahverdi is quoted as saying in the press release. “On the one hand, we use digital manufacturing methods to build in a resource-efficient manner. On the other hand, we are replacing conventional cement with binders that have a lower carbon footprint.” The concrete components are also designed so that they can be dismantled after use and reused elsewhere.
Launched in 2024, the four-year project is funded under Horizon Europe and brings together eleven leading research institutions and architectural firms from across Europe. According to the press release, these include Ghent University, Darmstadt Technical University, the University of Patras in Greece, as well as Zaha Hadid Architects from London, Mario Cucinella Architects from Bologna, and the companies Tesis from Penta di Fisciano in Italy, orbix from Genk, and incremental 3D from Innsbruck.