The Concrete Collection
Research and analysis from Google X's explorations into ocean carbon sequestration and concrete upcycling
For more than a decade teams at The Moonshot Factory have been exploring novel, economically viable ways to sequester carbon. One project discovered a breakthrough method to recycle concrete using the acid byproduct of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) - a carbon sequestration technique.
The team published research demonstrating how their technique upcycles concrete waste into a material strong enough for structural applications, such as bridges and buildings. A second paper outlines the techno-economics, highlighting the potential to generate revenue from two waste streams through carbon sequestration. By sharing this research, the team hopes to offer a blueprint for removing atmospheric CO2 and diverting gigatons of construction waste from landfills—all while generating revenue for the industries involved.
