Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Inc. (Carbon Upcycling), involved in decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization (CCU) for hard-to-abate industries, along with, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) have completed a three-year study on the use of low-carbon cement in highways. The results reportedly highlight Carbon Upcycling’s ability to be a drop-in solution for reducing carbon-intensive cement in concrete.

Completed in early 2024, the study aimed to find materials that could significantly lower the carbon footprint of concrete paving without compromising durability. Carbon Upcycling’s CO2-enhanced mix reportedly achieved a 12.5% reduction in cement content while matching the workability of traditional concrete, allowing handling, placement, and setting times for construction crews.

Carbon Upcycling says that the study revealed some benefits of their concrete mix:

• Increased Strength: 28% stronger at 28 days and 32% stronger at 56 days compared to the advanced control concrete.
• Reduced Cement Use: The CCU process allowed a 12.5% reduction in cementitious material, effectively reducing both carbon emissions and material costs.

By embedding CO2 and reducing the reliance on portland cement, Carbon Upcycling’s technology addresses one of the concrete industry’s most pressing challenges—lowering its carbon footprint as global demand for cement is expected to double by 2050. This project data will be invaluable as the industry works toward its 2030 CO2 reduction targets.”