Can CO₂ Waste Be Turned into a Valuable Construction Resource?

A 2019 meta-analysis of construction material production reports estimates that the production of construction materials (e.g., cement-based materials, steel, glass, and aluminum) accounts for around 14–17% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Among these materials, cement-based materials alone are responsible for about 5.5–7.5% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions [Cyrille D. et al. 2025]. The growing demand for infrastructure has led to the emergence of research priority for converting waste CO₂ into useful construction materials, which aims to address the environmental burden of waste CO₂ and meet infrastructure demand at the same time.

CO₂ is captured from the atmosphere and converted into construction materials. It is mixed with water to create carbonate species, which subsequently react with calcium and are stored as stable carbonate compounds within the cement matrix. This process is known as CO₂ mineralization or carbonation. The main aim of this approach is to permanently store waste CO₂ within concrete structures, thereby preventing its release back into the atmosphere. This process also improves the early-age strength of CO₂-incorporated concrete, reduces porosity, and enhances the overall durability of the concrete.

The mineralization of CO₂ reduces the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere, mitigating the greenhouse effect and at the same time satisfying the growing demand for infrastructure. But existing technologies for CO₂ mineralization are restricted to precast concrete production and do not adequately meet the on-site casting requirements of construction projects. Moreover, integrating CO₂ mineralization with other novel technologies such as 3D printed concrete materials is a big challenge.

Learn more about Nextus Innovations Laboratory, Research Support, Project Consultancy