The construction industry has taken a big step towards sustainability thanks to a new project developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute called “BioCarboBeton”. Using cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, the blue-green algaescientists have created bioconcrete and other biogenic building materials that are environmentally friendly and also capture carbon dioxide in the process.
Cyanobacteria and bioconcrete
Cement, the main component of concrete, is one of the largest contributors to CO₂ emissions in the industry. In 2018, in Germany alone, cement production generated approximately 20 million metric tons of CO₂. Aware of this problem, researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS and Fraunhofer FEP have been working on the “BioCarboBeton” project to find an environmentally friendly alternative.
The process developed is based on the ability of cyanobacteria to photosynthesize and create rock-like solid structures known as stromatolites. This method avoids the emission of carbon and uses it as part of the process, adhering it to the final material.
Cyanobacteria are grown in a nutrient solution, where, through photosynthesis and with the help of aggregates such as sand and basalt, solid structures are formed. This bioconcrete can be molded into various shapes using techniques such as spraying, foaming, extrusion or additive manufacturing.
Cyanobacteria construction
The BioCarboBeton project seeks to determine the mechanical and material properties of these new biogenic products and scale them up for industrial production. Researchers at the Fraunh Instituteofer researchers are also exploring the use of industrial and agricultural waste as sources of carbon dioxide and calcium, thus promoting a circular economy approach. circular economy.
The potential applications of these materials are vast, ranging from insulation materials to mortar and bricks. This breakthrough could mean a significant shift toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices.
BioCarboBeton reduces CO₂ in construction.
Project leaders Matthias Ahlhelm and Ulla König emphasize the enormous potential of the technology’s biologization in the construction industry. With this innovative method, biogenic building materials are expected to become a viable and climate-friendly option, marking an important step towards a circular economy.
This new bioconcrete promises to reduce carbon emissions from the construction industry, and opens up new possibilities for sustainable and cost-effective materials, underscoring the power of biotechnology to solve the most pressing environmental challenges.
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Source and photo: fraunhofer
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