CO2 Mineralisation: Conversion of Waste to New Building Materials

Introduction

The goal of MIN CO2 is to test the innovation and commercialisation potential of an idea for:

1. Increasing sustainability,
2. Decreasing atmospheric CO2, and
3. Producing a valuable, low CO2 footprint building material from noncombustible solid waste.

Results from our ERC research led to the idea: Can we react waste materials with CO2 and water to produce fine-grained material of value for new concrete?

Current Challenges

Current solutions for CCS are expensive and require extensive infrastructure. However, if this idea works, the technology will generate income; our estimates suggest approximately 50 €/T from the sale of the end product.

Project Development

In MIN CO2, we shall test the idea and optimise the system parameters at bench scale. Then, we will design, build, and test a laboratory prototype reactor, where the rate of reaction and formation of a minimum viable product can be achieved in a flow-through process. This will bring us from our current TRL 2 to TRL 4.

Intellectual Property

One patent has been submitted; others will follow as appropriate.

Market Analysis

Our preliminary market analysis and business case, as well as discussions with potential partners (waste suppliers, a local waste-to-energy plant, and a concrete company), bode well for writing a proposal for Innovation Funding at the end of the POC grant.

Future Prospects

Larger company stakeholders promise investment when we are able to demonstrate viability in a factory pilot (TRL 6). Our long-term goal is a startup that sells CO2 traps and know-how for installation into existing factory chimneys, targeting European and eventually global markets.

Public Reception

Initial discussions with members of the public and the media range from positive to enthusiastic because most of society’s fears about CCS are avoided with our approach. As our prospective partner from the concrete industry summarised, “If this works, it will be big.” Our small, dedicated team is convinced that it will.