Researchers at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College in India have developed a concrete blend that absorbs CO2 from the air while also showing higher strength than conventional concrete. The mix replaces part of the fine aggregate with porous zeolite and part of the cement with bamboo biochar. In lab tests, the best formulation reached a compressive strength of 38.49 MPa, about 7.5% higher than standard concrete, and absorbed 1.2 grams of CO2 per day in a carbonation chamber. The study, published in Carbon Research, is a proof of concept rather than a ready-to-use product. The authors note that long-term durability under real-world conditions is still untested. If the material performs well in extended trials, it could offer a way to reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects like pavements and highway barriers. However, a full environmental assessment would need to account for the sourcing and manufacturing of the additives, as well as transportation and lifecycle performance.
