Green materials startup Earth4Earth has introduced a range of bricks that permanently sequester carbon. Using Direct Air Capture Direct Air Capture(DAC), the blocks extract atmospheric CO₂ and chemically fix it, turning the structures into true climate mitigation tools.
Carbon-capturing brick technology
These bricks are made from excavated soil, normally discarded as waste, and a proprietary binder called e4E. This unique formula is designed to improve durability without relying on carbon-emitting processes based on lime and cement.
This e4E binder can be produced at room temperature and avoids the use of fuels such as CO₂ release, following the decomposition of limestone, a base component of lime. All carbon generated in the manufacture of the binder is stored in solid form, due to an accelerated carbonation process.
The chemical reaction traps the carbon and, at the same time, improves the structural properties of the material. This approach allows the bricks to offer mechanical advantages while fulfilling climatic functions.
The product line includes N10, N20 and N30 bricks, which add between 10% and 30% e4E, increasing carbon sequestration with each variant. There are also L10 versions, with conventional lime, and L0, an earth-based brick with no binder.
The first batch of these bricks is being used in pilot projects in the UK. At the end of their useful life, they can be crushed to make new products or returned to the earth. In both cases, the CO₂ remains chemically fixed, which strengthens the circular economy approach.
Earth4Earth ‘s design is inspired by China’s Tulou buildings, known for their resilience and climate efficiency. The company aligns this ancient architecture with modern scientific development, resulting in a concrete solution for climate neutrality in construction.
In the future, we also plan to develop other types of bricks and materials using the e4E binder.
We want to offer practical solutions for the decarbonization of the construction industry, and we believe that high-quality materials with diverse green credentials will achieve this.
Lei Zhang, co-founder of Earth4Earth.
The demonstration of bricks that capture and store carbon dioxide. Source: Earth4Earth
Source and photo: Earth4Earth
