Materials researchers work on climate-friendly concrete
A group of materials researchers led by Franco Zunino wants to reduce the CO2 emissions of concrete. To achieve this, the proportion of cement is being drastically reduced and savings are being made on binders. Zunino has received an Ambizione grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation for his research.
A group of materials researchers led by Franco Zunino from the Institute of Building Materials at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich is researching compositions for concrete that can significantly reduce its CO2 emissions. The world’s most important building material is responsible for up to 9 percent of man-made CO2 emissions, the Swiss National Science Foundation(SNSF) informs in a press release. It is supporting the research with an Ambizione grant for Zunino.
The researchers are using two approaches to develop a climate-friendly concrete. The first is to reduce the particularly CO2-intensive cement content of concrete by 60 to 70 per cent. To achieve this, new types of chemical additives are used, in particular so-called polymer dispersants. In the second approach, the use of binders is reduced.
In its research, the group is “working closely with a major cement manufacturer”, explains the SNSF. An alternative to concrete is unrealistic, according to Zunino. It would take “a forest the size of India” to replace concrete with wood. Even a completely new building material would hardly be able to establish itself “on the streets in Nigeria, where concrete is perhaps mixed together with bare hands”. With a climate-friendly concrete that is suitable for everyday use, however, “the industry would have a solution in hand to implement its CO2 targets and save CO2 taxes”.