In Dresden, the world’s first house made of carbon concrete has been constructed. This material is climate-neutral and significantly more durable than traditional steel-reinforced concrete. The construction industry is one of the most environmentally damaging industries on the planet, with concrete production alone responsible for approximately eight percent of global CO2 emissions. As a result, companies and scientists have been searching for alternatives for a long time. Researchers at the Technical University of Dresden have been studying carbon concrete for 28 years. According to Manfred Curbach, a professor of solid construction at the university, the material has already been used in about 150 buildings in eight countries for reinforcement or as a facade.
The “Cube,” a building made entirely of non-metallic reinforcement except for the windows, has been completed in Dresden. Carbon fibers are used instead of steel reinforcement in carbon concrete, which is significantly lighter, more flexible, and more durable. Additionally, carbon fibers do not rust, giving the material a lifespan of at least 200 years, significantly longer than conventional steel-reinforced concrete. Carbon concrete is “a pretty big mosaic stone to make the entire construction industry climate-neutral,” according to Curbach. This is mainly due to the fact that less concrete is required than in buildings with steel, which must be protected from weathering. Even with conventionally produced cement, carbon concrete can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70%.
Carbon can also be produced from lignin in wood, making the material climate-neutral. Recently, scientists in Munich discovered blue-green algae that “feed on CO2 from the air and emit polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a result of their metabolism.” Carbon filaments can be produced from polyacrylonitrile through pyrolysis. Universities in other countries are also researching carbon concrete, but the researchers at the Technical University of Dresden are currently the only ones who can build a complete house from the innovative material. The Cube is primarily intended as a demonstration object to show what projects can be realized with carbon concrete.
In conclusion, the construction industry’s environmental impact is significant, and carbon concrete is a promising alternative to traditional steel-reinforced concrete. The world’s first house made of carbon concrete has been built in Dresden, and the material’s durability and climate neutrality make it an attractive option for future construction projects.
