National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and partners will use bio-derived supplementary cementitious materials and concrete additives generated from low-value byproducts created during sustainable aviation fuel production to develop a carbon-negative, thermally insulating concrete. The team proposes that activated carbon, aerogels, and ash produced from biomass processing, as well as supplemental CO2 adsorption to these materials, can replace a large portion of ordinary portland cement in common concrete ready mix. Using this approach, atmospheric CO2 is permanently sequestered in concrete in the form of solid carbon. Durability studies will ensure these materials have a full lifetime. At end of life, this material can be ground and recycled for use as road base or aggregate with no risk of organic matter decomposition and CO2 secondary release.

HESTIA projects will facilitate the use of carbon storing materials in building construction to achieve net carbon negativity by optimizing material chemistries and matrices, manufacturing, and whole-building designs in a cost-effective manner.