Swiss Research on Carbon Storage Potential in Construction Materials
Swiss researchers estimate that construction materials could potentially store between five and ten billion tons of carbon annually. This approach centers on concrete, aimed at removing atmospheric CO₂ and securing it in urban infrastructure.
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The Empa laboratory in Switzerland has initiated 'Mining the Atmosphere' to capture excess CO₂ and convert it into intermediates like methane or methanol. These can be utilized to produce various materials including polymers and ceramics, with significant applications in construction.
Currently, it is estimated that around 1,500 billion tons of CO₂ need to be removed to return atmospheric concentration to 1988 levels. The construction sector could absorb substantial amounts of carbon without needing separate storage infrastructure.
Future efforts depend on renewable energy availability for the entire process, which may impact the feasibility of these initiatives. The introduction of silicon carbide as a stable carbon storage medium presents both opportunities and challenges due to its energy-intensive production.
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