Can we turn a major pollutant into a building block?

Science · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Concrete production is a massive source of carbon emissions, but a shift in chemistry might turn it into a carbon sink. This video explores how rethinking cement chemistry allows us to use CO2 to create our infrastructure.

While concrete naturally absorbs CO2 over time, its initial manufacturing process releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Researchers and engineers are now looking to flip this dynamic by redesigning the chemical makeup of cement.

By altering the underlying chemistry, it becomes possible to use carbon dioxide as a primary ingredient in the creation of concrete. This approach aims to move beyond mere mitigation toward a system where the material itself helps sequester atmospheric carbon.

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