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Cement is to the construction industry like dirt is to a garden. It\\u2019s essential for all kinds of buildings and infrastructure. But it\\u2019s also a huge greenhouse gas contributor. With the current push toward more climate-friendly technologies, two researchers from Massachusetts claim they have created a cement-like material that is not just carbon neutral, but literally sucks carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Hi, I\'m Kathy Fettke and this is Real Estate News for Investors. If you like our podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review.

So what is this intriguing new material? It\\u2019s called Enzymatic Construction Material or ECM. It was created at the Massachusetts-based Worcester Polytechnic Institute by researchers Suzanne Scarlata and Nima Rahbar.

Carbon-Negative Foodprint

In addition to its eco-friendly carbon-negative footprint, they say it will also use stored carbon to heal cracks. And it may also be a good material to patch aging concrete.

As reported by Construction Dive, the primary component of ECM is calcium carbonate crystals. You get that by combining carbonic anhydrase with CO2, which is an enzyme found in living cells. The mixture also includes sand, water, and a polymer binding agent.

The final product isn\\u2019t as strong as concrete, but Scarlata and Rahbar say it could be used for smaller projects with a lower load demand. That might be the side of a house, for example.

What\\u2019s a Megapascal?

ECM\\u2019s strength is currently 12 MPa, or Megapascals, which is a unit of measure for the compressive strength of concrete. The higher the number, the more pressure can be applied to the concrete before it starts to break down. Typical Portland Concrete ranges from 20 to 40 MPa but some concrete is rated much higher for projects that require high strength and durability.

Scarlata told Construction Dive: \\u201cThe technology\\u2019s there, but needs tweaking and a little more development.\\u201d They have patented their product and founded a start-up called Enzymatic Inc. to develop it. In addition to making it stronger, they also reportedly want to make it more resistant to humidity and water damage.

They plan on conducting more tests, and will be filing for grants to help fund their research. ECM currently costs about $168 per cubic yard to produce although Rahbar says the benefits it provides for the environment are much greater than concrete. Concrete is cheaper, dollar-wise, at $125 per cubic yard.

Other Eco-Friendly Concrete Alternatives

But this isn\\u2019t the only eco-friendly product being developed to replace concrete some day in the future. According to media website, Anthropocene, which focuses on sustainability science and innovation, there are other products in development that are also carbon-negative.

One is called hempcrete, which is made of hemp fibers and a binding agent. Another is a material that\\u2019s infused with bacteria that absorbs carbon dioxide. The ECM product has an enzyme that does that.

ECM vs. Concrete

Anthropocene says that twenty-seven cubic feet of ECM will store 8 kilograms of carbon dioxide while the same amount of concrete will \\u201cemit\\u201d more than 180 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In addition to being carbon negative, ECM can use the carbon it stores to heal cracks. It can also be produced without high temperatures and doesn\\u2019t take a long time to cure, like concrete.

It\\u2019ll take a huge effort to displace concrete, however. Concrete pretty much rules the construction world right now, with some 30 billion metric tons used per year. It also accounts for about 7% of the greenhouse gases produced worldwide.

Rahbar says their goal is to produce a building material with a lower carbon footprint. He says: \\u201cIt\\u2019s our contribution to climate change issues.\\u201d

If you\\u2019d like to read more on this topic, you\\u2019ll find links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com.

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Thanks for listening. I\'m Kathy Fettke.

Links:

1 - https://www.constructiondive.com/news/self-healing-concrete-ecm-enzymatic-substitute-sucks-carbon-out-air/620368/

2 - https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/03/new-building-material-soaks-carbon-and-heals-itself/