Innovation

Carbonaide’s innovation lies in developing an add-on concrete curing technology that utilizes carbon dioxide (CO₂) to reduce the CO₂ footprint and the cement content in concrete. This ground-breaking innovation, which originates from research at VTT Technical Research Centre Finland, stores CO₂ in concrete for decades through a process called mineralisation. Carbonaide sells its carbonation technology to precast concrete manufacturers that use concrete to produce ready-to-use products for the building sector. Integrating CO₂ into the curing process makes the concrete more resistant and converts the resulting concrete products into CO₂ sinks. These products that permanently store CO₂ are ultimately used in the building sector and allow for a recarbonization of the technosphere.

The centrepiece of Carbonaide’s concrete curing technology is a process extension within the conventional concrete curing process. Carbonaide connects a CO₂ tank to the concrete curing plant, which contains liquid and purified CO₂. This liquid CO₂ is then mixed with air and ventilated through the curing chambers, where mineralisation occurs. During mineralisation, the now gaseous CO₂ reacts and binds strongly to the hardening concrete. The CO₂ tank and the ventilation system can either be retrofitted to an existing concrete curing system or added as a module when building a new state-of-the-art plant. Carbonaide currently uses biogenic CO₂ from, for example, biogas that originates from the production of bioenergy. Therefore, through the removal of biogenic CO₂ from the atmosphere, Carbonaide also contributes to the decarbonization of the biosphere.

Inspiration

Jonne Hirvonen, currently the Chief Operating Officer at Carbonaide, was inspired by multiple aspects to create this innovation. Jonne first came across the topic of concrete and carbonization in 2018 when he was working at the VTT Technical Research Centre Finland. Originally, the field did not appeal to him: “Concrete was something very new to me. To be honest, it felt a little boring as a topic for an energy-backgrounded engineer back then.” Quickly after that, the topic started to click for Jonne when they “connected the pieces of CO₂ and concrete in the same project." The goal of combining both elements in concrete products and storing CO₂ in them for the long term was born. He was inspired by the mission to create a technology and an initiative to turn concrete from an emission source into a carbon sink. As researchers, Jonne and Tapio Vehmas, now the Chief Executive Officer at Carbonaide, approached the topic scientifically. “Everything started in the laboratory. […] So, it was a very research-oriented way to enter into this topic”, Jonne remembers. After the first months, the intensive research showed the first positive results: “We gained interesting results that CO₂ can be working as a curing agent.” But, one question remained for Jonne: “How might we find a way to really enter the market with this technology?” After overcoming this fundamental challenge, Jonne was inspired by the fact that “carbon-negative concrete is possible."

Overall impact

In the short term, the innovation has already been successfully used in several projects. Carbonaide’s add-on technology binds CO₂ in concrete products, immediately reducing the carbon footprint. This has been demonstrated in the pilot project in Hollola, Finland where CO₂ storage and a reduction in cement consumption of up to 40% were achieved. The reduction results from the improved strength of the concrete, which then requires less cement as a binder. Both effects – CO₂ storage and the reduction of cement consumption – directly contribute to the goals of SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing the emissions of the construction industry. At the same time, these reductions promote SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) because fewer resources and less energy are required in cement production.

In the long term, the technology has the potential to be implemented worldwide, saving and storing millions of tons of CO₂ annually. This would sustainably transform the construction industry and significantly contribute to its decarbonization. Reducing cement consumption and CO₂ storage promotes SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by driving sustainable building materials and innovation in the industry. The technology will not only reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector but also increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the whole industry. Furthermore, Carbonaide is working closely with international partners to employ the technology globally, which contributes to achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This collaboration promotes the long-term distribution of the technology and maximizes its positive impact.

Business benefit

Carbonaide, which is entirely built on its innovative add-on carbonation technology, has achieved significant business advantages. The company has generated initial revenue streams by launching concrete products manufactured with its technology.  Despite the green premium currently included in the price of the products, these products have been sold to both construction companies and private customers. This shows that there is already commercial demand for the innovative solution.

Growing demand for environmentally friendly building materials has allowed Carbonaide to enter new markets, particularly in regions with ambitious climate targets like Denmark. This expansion is opening further growth opportunities for the company. Carbonaide has also taken advantage of new investment opportunities thanks to technological advantages and global interest in sustainable solutions. In the pre-seed round, Carbonaide raised 1.8 million € to finance the first steps of developing the technology. The start-up is in the process of raising further financial resources as part of a Series A round, which will be used to build up internal competencies and start international commercial activities.

The innovation has also had a significant impact at the personnel level. The company currently has five employees and plans to expand its team as demand increases, particularly in sales and commercialization. This opens new employment opportunities. In addition, Carbonaide's motivating sustainability mission helps to improve the well-being of employees and increase employee retention as they actively participate in decarbonizing the construction industry.

Watch video on YouTube

Social and environmental benefit

Socially, the technology directly contributes to global climate goals by significantly reducing the construction industry's carbon footprint. This raises societal awareness of climate protection and makes Carbonaide a pioneer in the construction industry, setting an example for other industries. By supporting sustainable construction projects, Carbonaide contributes to the development of low-emission and resource-efficient living spaces that meet the demands of climate change. By partnering with global players and showcasing at international forums, Carbonaide is helping to spread the technology worldwide and accelerate the transition to greener construction. In the long term, Carbonaide has the potential to fundamentally change the construction industry. The innovation sets new standards for low-carbon construction methods and accelerates the decarbonization of the sector. This progress could also inspire other industries to develop more sustainable materials and processes. Carbonaide's approach shows how technological innovation and environmental protection can be combined in the construction industry.

The technology's benefits are evident in environmental terms, with a significant reduction in cement consumption of up to 40% and an overall lower carbon footprint of up to 57%. Less cement means lower energy consumption and fewer emissions during production. In addition, the technology binds up to 120 kilograms of CO₂ per cubic meter of concrete and mineralizes 20.4% of the cement weight, enabling significant CO₂ storage. The improved mechanical strength of the concrete achieved by the technology also extends the lifespan of structures and reduces the consumption of resources needed to build them.

Interview

Jonne Hirvonen, Chief Operating Officer