Articles tagged with "sustainable-construction"
Reframe Systems wants to use robotic microfactories to change how we build homes - The Robot Report
Reframe Systems, founded in 2022 by Vikas Enti and Aaron Small, aims to address the U.S. housing shortage and improve home resilience through robotic microfactories. The company leverages off-the-shelf robotic arms combined with proprietary vision, motion planning, and fixturing technologies to automate the framing and assembly of homes away from traditional construction sites. This microfactory approach allows Reframe to consolidate operations, build components like walls and ceilings out of the conventional sequence, and target automating 60% to 80% of home construction. The startup recently raised $20 million to scale its operations, with a long-term goal of building one million homes by 2045. Enti highlights that the construction industry's fragmentation—requiring about 25 specialized subcontractors per home—has hindered widespread automation adoption, as most firms operate as small businesses lacking resources for R&D or technology investment. By shifting construction to controlled microfactories, Reframe aims to overcome these challenges and improve
roboticsmicrofactoriesconstruction-automationrobotic-armshome-building-technologysustainable-constructionhousing-innovationPhotos: Owl eyes-like windows bring French twist to new tiny houses
Tiny Binocles, a French company founded in 2024 and based in Guidel, Brittany, specializes in designing and producing compact, sustainable mobile homes distinguished by their signature round "owl eyes"-like windows. Drawing inspiration from boatbuilding techniques, the homes emphasize precision and efficient use of limited space. The round windows serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, allowing natural light, ventilation, and framed views, while the interiors are adaptable for living, working, learning, and playing. The company prioritizes sustainability by using locally sourced timber from responsibly managed forests, bio-based insulation materials, and natural oils for wood protection, avoiding synthetic coatings. The founder, Humeau, brings specialized craftsmanship experience from training with the Compagnons du Tour de France and Swiss boatbuilding methods, ensuring the homes are durable and efficient for travel. Tiny Binocles offers six models in its main Binocles collection, ranging from the smallest Chevêchette (under 13 square meters) for two people to the
sustainable-materialsbio-based-insulationcompact-mobile-homessustainable-constructioneco-friendly-housingtimber-sourcingenergy-efficient-designWorld-first electric deconstruction advances sustainable transformation
The world’s first fully electric deconstruction project has been successfully completed in Erlangen, Germany, marking a significant milestone in sustainable urban development. The project utilized a fleet of all-electric construction machines from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Volvo Trucks, in partnership with Siemens and Metzner Recycling. This initiative demonstrated high-performance demolition and materials processing across a 25,000 cubic meter site, handling approximately 12,800 tons of construction waste. Impressively, 96% of this waste was recycled into raw materials, showcasing a strong commitment to circular construction practices and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This pioneering effort eliminated tailpipe emissions, cut CO₂ emissions substantially, and reduced noise pollution, addressing key urban environmental challenges. The project also exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contractors, real estate stakeholders, and local energy providers in accelerating sustainable construction. Leaders from Volvo CE, Siemens Real Estate, and Metzner Recycling emphasized that this initiative not only proves the
energysustainable-constructionelectric-machinerycircular-economyVolvo-CEemission-free-operationsrecycling-materialsFukushima football club unveils Japan's first circular timber stadiumFFFFukushima
Fukushima United FC, in collaboration with architecture startup VUILD, has announced plans to build Japan’s first circular timber stadium in Fukushima Prefecture. The 5,000-seat venue will emphasize sustainability and circular construction by using locally sourced laminated wood designed for disassembly and reuse. The stadium’s seating is distributed across four volumes with separate entrances to maintain a human scale, and the timber framework reflects a circular model aimed at recycling local resources. The design draws inspiration from the Japanese Shikinen Sengu tradition of ritual rebuilding, applying this concept to cycles of resources, community, and craftsmanship through reforestation, woodworking education, and participatory construction. Structurally, the roof employs hyperbolic paraboloid shells made from small timber members, allowing cantilevered spans and referencing the steep thatched roofs of Fukushima’s historic Ōuchi-juku town. Passive energy strategies are integrated to adapt to the local climate, including shading, natural ventilation, insulation, and systems to collect rainwater and
materialssustainable-constructiontimber-architecturecircular-economyenergy-efficiencypassive-energy-designreforestationFrom Reuse To Burial: Managing Mass Timber Beyond The Building Stage - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the critical importance of managing mass timber beyond its use in construction to ensure its role as a genuine climate solution. Mass timber, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), is gaining traction for its ability to reduce embodied carbon by replacing high-emission materials like concrete and steel and by storing biogenic carbon absorbed during tree growth. However, the climate benefits hinge on effective end-of-life strategies that keep the carbon locked away rather than releasing it back into the atmosphere. Designing buildings for disassembly enables direct reuse of timber components, potentially extending carbon storage to a full century and avoiding emissions from new material production. When direct reuse is not feasible, cascading uses—downcycling timber into smaller components, furniture, or composite products—can prolong carbon storage and reduce demand for virgin materials, though less efficiently than reuse. Beyond reuse and cascading, transforming timber into stable forms like biochar offers long-term carbon sequestration. Biochar, produced by heating wood without oxygen, res
materialsmass-timbercarbon-footprintsustainable-constructioncross-laminated-timberclimate-solutioncarbon-storageWhy Canada Must Align Sequestered Carbon Accounting With Global Markets - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the critical need for Canada to align its accounting of sequestered carbon in mass timber construction with global market standards. It uses the example of Lytton, British Columbia, which suffered devastating heat in 2021, to highlight the urgency of climate-resilient building practices. The town’s rebuild is serving as a pilot project for integrating carbon sequestration into building design, particularly through the use of mass timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT). These wood products lock away carbon absorbed during tree growth, effectively acting as carbon banks that can reduce a building’s overall carbon footprint if the wood is reused or disposed of in ways that prevent decay. Scientifically, mass timber has a significant advantage over conventional materials like concrete and steel in terms of embodied carbon emissions. While producing a cubic meter of CLT can store about one ton of CO₂ equivalent, concrete and steel production emit hundreds to over a thousand kilograms of CO₂ per cubic meter. Studies show timber buildings can reduce
energymaterialscarbon-sequestrationmass-timbercross-laminated-timbersustainable-constructionembodied-carbonThe engineered wood designed to beat steel and concrete
The article discusses the development of SUPERWOOD, an engineered timber created by Maryland-based InventWood to rival steel and concrete in construction. By restructuring cellulose fibers at the molecular level, SUPERWOOD becomes 12 times stronger and 10 times more durable than natural wood. This innovation builds on research from the University of Maryland, which highlighted the exceptional strength of cellulose nanocrystals in plants—stronger than carbon fiber but underutilized due to wood’s porous structure. Instead of inventing new synthetic materials, InventWood enhances wood’s natural properties, making it a sustainable, fire-resistant, and carbon-negative alternative for the construction industry, which currently contributes 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The manufacturing process of SUPERWOOD involves two key steps: a chemical treatment that modifies lignin and removes hemicellulose (the natural “glue” in wood), followed by hot-pressing to densify the wood by collapsing its cell walls. This densification increases the wood’s density up to four times
materialsengineered-woodsustainable-constructionsuperwoodcellulose-nanocrystalscarbon-negative-materialsgreen-building-materialsMass Timber Nations: Case Studies & Canada’s Export Opportunities - CleanTechnica
The article "Mass Timber Nations: Case Studies & Canada’s Export Opportunities" from CleanTechnica highlights the growing global significance of mass timber as a sustainable construction material that locks carbon into buildings while reducing reliance on high-emission materials like concrete and steel. It emphasizes Canada’s potential to become a leader in this sector by learning from international examples and strategically positioning itself in increasingly competitive export markets. The article outlines how cross laminated timber (CLT), developed in the 1990s in Austria and Germany, revolutionized mass timber production through vertical integration with sawmills and a global export focus, setting quality and certification standards that established durable competitive advantages. The article also examines Finland and Sweden’s coordinated strategies, where government policies, corporate investments, and education dramatically increased wood use in mid-rise construction, supported by major forestry companies treating mass timber as a core business. Japan’s approach combines cultural wood-building traditions with modern adaptations, including government mandates for wood in public buildings and seismic engineering tailored to local species, illustrating how
materialsmass-timbercross-laminated-timbersustainable-constructioncarbon-reductionbuilding-materialsexport-opportunitiesConstruction materials could be greener, lighter with ceramic clay blend
Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar) have developed a novel approach to repurpose large amounts of sargassum algae, which have been increasingly accumulating on Caribbean and Atlantic coastlines, causing environmental and economic problems. Instead of discarding the seaweed in landfills, the team incorporated sargassum into ceramic clay mixtures at 20% and 40% concentrations. These mixtures were then sintered at various temperatures using both conventional and microwave ovens to produce lightweight ceramic clay aggregates. The study found that adding sargassum notably reduced the density of the materials, with microwave-sintered samples meeting strength requirements across all tested temperatures. A comprehensive life cycle assessment revealed that the algae-infused ceramics offer environmental benefits by reducing natural resource consumption and enhancing energy efficiency in construction materials. The researchers successfully incorporated up to 30% sargassum into panels, fully replacing limestone ash, while maintaining or improving durability and mechanical performance in
materialssustainable-constructionceramic-claysargassum-algaelightweight-aggregateslife-cycle-assessmenteco-friendly-materialsAdhesives, Dowels & Veneers: The Industrial Choices Shaping Mass Timber - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica explores the industrial choices shaping mass timber production, emphasizing how different manufacturing methods impact costs, carbon footprints, and building applications. Mass timber, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), is gaining attention for its climate benefits by sequestering carbon and replacing more carbon-intensive materials like steel and concrete. Two primary production methods dominate: traditional sawn lumber, which involves milling logs into boards that are dried and glued into layers, and veneer-based processes, where logs are rotary peeled into thin sheets for laminates. The sawn lumber approach leverages existing sawmill infrastructure but suffers from inefficiencies and waste, while veneer-based production achieves higher material utilization and uniform mechanical properties but requires large, capital-intensive facilities. The article also highlights emerging hybrid and experimental manufacturing techniques that blend veneer and sawn lumber or use oriented strand and parallel strand products, often incorporating robotics and automation to reduce labor and waste. A key industry debate centers on the use of adhesives
materialsmass-timbercross-laminated-timberlaminated-veneer-lumbersustainable-constructionwood-technologymodular-constructionFrom Harvest To Housing: CLT Locks Away More Carbon Than It Emits - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the carbon accounting of cross laminated timber (CLT) and its potential as a carbon-negative building material. CLT stores significant amounts of carbon absorbed by trees during growth, locking it into building structures for as long as they stand. Although emissions occur throughout the CLT lifecycle—from harvesting and transport to drying, adhesive production, and assembly—the amount of carbon stored in the wood far exceeds these emissions. For example, producing one cubic meter of CLT emits about 120 kilograms of CO2, while the wood stores nearly a ton of CO2, making CLT net carbon negative from cradle to gate according to Canadian Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). However, current carbon accounting standards often separate stored carbon from emissions rather than netting them, due to uncertainty about the wood's end-of-life fate. If wood is incinerated or landfilled without proper gas management, stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Conversely, reuse, recycling, or conversion into stable
energymaterialscarbon-storagecross-laminated-timbersustainable-constructionembodied-carbonclimate-changeWhy cement is climate's hardest challenge
The article highlights cement as one of the most significant climate challenges, responsible for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined. In 2022, the cement industry emitted roughly 1.6 billion tonnes of CO₂, with production at 4.1 billion tonnes annually and rising due to urbanization. China alone produces about half of the world’s cement, underscoring the scale of the problem. A key difficulty in reducing emissions lies in the chemical process of cement production: about 60% of CO₂ emissions come from the decomposition of limestone into clinker, not just from fuel combustion, meaning renewable energy alone cannot solve the issue. Despite efficiency gains since 1990, emissions could nearly double by 2050 without transformative changes. Engineers are pursuing multiple strategies to lower cement’s carbon footprint, particularly by reducing clinker content through blending alternative materials, often industrial byproducts. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), a steelmaking
materialscementcarbon-emissionssustainable-constructionindustrial-byproductsCO2-reductionclimate-solutionsPaving the Road for Cement and Concrete Technologies - CleanTechnica
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosted its third annual Cement and Concrete Critical Technologies meeting on June 9–10 in Golden, Colorado, bringing together over 80 representatives from startups, investment firms, academia, industry, and government labs. The event focused on addressing the challenges and innovations in the cement and concrete industry, which is the second most utilized resource globally and vital to U.S. infrastructure. Key topics included modernizing domestic production, improving material durability, reducing import reliance, funding acquisition, accelerated performance testing, and scaling technologies for field deployment. A regional discussion highlighted how Denver and Colorado transportation and architectural agencies are adopting new procurement methods and infrastructure projects. NREL researchers emphasized the lab’s unique role as a trusted third party that supports the industry across all technology readiness levels, from early discovery to implementation. The meeting underscored the critical need for innovative cement and concrete formulations to meet growing infrastructure demands driven by urbanization and aging construction. Accelerating testing protocols and enabling broader adoption of alternative
materialscement-technologyconcrete-innovationinfrastructure-materialssustainable-constructionmaterial-scienceenergy-efficient-materialsUltrasonic device reduces sea sand salt to 0.04% for construction
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) has developed an innovative ultrasonic washing device designed to remove salt from sea sand, addressing a critical challenge in the construction industry. With river sand supplies dwindling due to environmental restrictions and overextraction, sea sand has become a necessary alternative. However, its high salt content poses a risk of corrosion to steel reinforcements in concrete, compromising structural safety. The ultrasonic device uses cavitation-driven washing with ultrasonic waves to efficiently reduce salt levels to 0.04% or below—the maximum recommended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport—while using significantly less water than traditional methods. This technology offers both practical and economic benefits by accelerating the desalination process and reducing water consumption, making it more sustainable and feasible for large-scale construction needs. The process involves mixing sea sand with water at a 1:2 ratio and applying ultrasonic energy of 300W or higher for three minutes, achieving rapid and precise salt removal even in confined spaces.
materialsultrasonic-technologyconstruction-materialsdesalinationsustainable-constructionsand-washingcorrosion-preventionAmazon & Brimstone Advance Lower-Carbon Cement Collaboration - CleanTechnica
Amazon and Brimstone have announced promising initial test results for Brimstone’s lower-carbon Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), intended for use in concrete construction. The tests, conducted with Amazon’s concrete consultants, evaluated key properties such as workability and compressive strength based on Amazon’s slab mix designs. Brimstone’s OPC met ASTM C150 standards and performed comparably to conventional cement currently used in Amazon buildings. Encouraged by these outcomes, Amazon has signed a commercial agreement to reserve annual volumes of Brimstone’s OPC and supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) from Brimstone’s upcoming Oakland, CA plant. Building on this success, Amazon and Brimstone plan to conduct more extensive testing in 2025 and 2026 to assess durability, sulfate resistance, aggregate reactivity, and other critical properties across a wider range of concrete mixes and applications. Brimstone’s CEO highlighted that their process produces industry-standard cement at competitive prices, facilitating fast market adoption due to compliance with
energymaterialslow-carbon-cementsustainable-constructionindustrial-materialscarbon-footprint-reductionconcrete-technologyNew AI simulates 4 billion atoms to build carbon-neutral concrete
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed Allegro-FM, an AI-powered simulation tool capable of modeling the behavior of over 4 billion atoms simultaneously with 97.5% efficiency. This represents a nearly 1,000-fold increase in scale compared to traditional models. Using the Aurora supercomputer at Argonne National Laboratory, Allegro-FM enables scientists to virtually test molecular compositions of concrete, accelerating the discovery of carbon-neutral, stronger, and fire-resistant formulations without costly lab experiments. The AI system can simulate complex atomic interactions across 89 chemical elements, making it versatile for applications beyond concrete, including carbon storage, battery chemistry, and biomedical devices. The key breakthrough is Allegro-FM’s ability to predict atomic interactions without relying on element-specific quantum mechanical equations, instead using machine learning trained on extensive datasets. This allows for highly accurate and efficient simulations of concrete’s mechanical and structural properties. The researchers found that incorporating CO₂ into concrete can trap carbon dioxide released during cement production,
materialsAI-simulationcarbon-neutral-concretesustainable-constructionatomic-modelingconcrete-durabilitycarbon-captureCigarette waste turned into road-building material by scientists
Scientists from the University of Granada (Spain) and the University of Bologna (Italy), supported by the Chinese government, have developed an innovative method to recycle cigarette butts into pellets used as additives in road construction. The process involves removing organic ash from cigarette filters, crushing the remaining cellulose fibers and PLA plastic, and binding the material with a special Fischer-Tropsch-type wax. These pellets are then incorporated into recycled asphalt, where the wax melts during manufacturing, releasing fibers that reinforce the asphalt, enhancing its crack resistance, ductility, and flexibility. This method also allows for higher recycled content in asphalt and reduces manufacturing temperatures, leading to energy savings and lower emissions. The environmental significance of this research is notable given the staggering volume of cigarette waste worldwide—estimated at 4.5 trillion discarded filters annually by the WHO, projected to rise to 9 trillion by 2025. Cigarette butts are a persistent pollutant, contaminating waterways and landscapes. This recycling approach not only addresses this waste problem
materialsrecyclingasphaltcigarette-wastesustainable-constructionroad-building-materialsenvironmental-innovation10% recycled glass mix boosts earth block strength by 90%: Study
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth have found that incorporating 10% recycled glass powder along with 10% lime into compressed earth blocks significantly enhances their strength, achieving a 90% increase in compressive strength compared to unstabilized blocks. These "green" blocks reached a compressive strength of 5.77 MPa and a 30% improvement in tensile strength, demonstrating superior structural integrity without cracking under intense pressure. The study involved rigorous testing of various mixes and microscopic analysis over 28 days, confirming the durability and robustness of the optimal composition. This innovation offers a sustainable alternative to traditional cement, which has a high carbon footprint, by using recycled glass as a stabilizing agent in earth blocks. The findings support the potential for large reductions in cement use and contribute to circular economy goals by repurposing industrial waste in construction. This approach could lead to greener buildings, reduced landfill waste, and a more sustainable construction industry. The article also briefly mentions related research from Japan on geopolymer-based
materialsrecycled-glasscompressed-earth-blockssustainable-constructioncement-alternativebuilding-materialsmaterial-strengthScientists develop algae-based concrete that captures 142% more carbon
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an innovative algae-based concrete that significantly reduces environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity. By incorporating diatomaceous earth—powder made from fossilized silica shells of microscopic algae—into a 3D-printed concrete mix, the team created a lightweight material that uses 68% less cement and absorbs 142% more CO₂ compared to traditional concrete. This breakthrough leverages the natural carbon-trapping abilities of diatoms and a mathematically optimized internal geometry inspired by coral reefs and sea stars, known as triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), which maximize surface area and stiffness with minimal material. The new concrete not only captures more carbon dioxide but also grows stronger over time during curing, retaining 90% of the strength of conventional solid concrete blocks despite its high porosity. The design incorporates post-tensioning cables and advanced force-balancing geometries to ensure durability and buildability at architectural scales. The researchers are currently scaling up the technology for larger applications such
materialsconcretecarbon-capturesustainable-construction3D-printingdiatomaceous-earthcarbon-dioxide-absorptionTerra CO2 cements $124M Series B to slash concrete’s carbon footprint
Terra CO2, a Golden, Colorado-based startup, has secured $124.5 million in a Series B funding round to advance its low-carbon cement alternative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of concrete production. Cement manufacturing, particularly Portland cement, is responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions due to the chemical processes and fossil fuel use involved. Terra CO2’s approach involves producing supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) by melting silicate-containing rocks into glassy powders that mimic the properties of traditional cement but with significantly lower emissions. The new funding, co-led by prominent investors including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Al Gore’s Just Climate, will support the construction of a large-scale facility near Dallas capable of producing 240,000 tons of SCM annually. Currently, Terra CO2’s SCM can replace up to 40% of Portland cement in concrete mixtures, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% compared to conventional cement. The company is also developing a next-generation product intended
energymaterialslow-carbon-cementsustainable-constructioncarbon-footprint-reductionsupplementary-cementitious-materialsclimate-technologyPoll: Two-thirds of Canadians favour developing clean energy over fossil fuels, while 85% wish to maintain or increase federal climate action - Clean Energy Canada
A recent survey by Abacus Data for Clean Energy Canada reveals strong Canadian support for prioritizing clean energy development over fossil fuels. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents favor investing in clean energy projects such as critical minerals, renewable power, and energy storage, compared to 33% who prefer conventional fossil fuel projects like oil, gas, and LNG. While both sectors are seen as important to Canada’s economy over the next decade, clean energy holds a slight edge, especially among those who view one sector as "very important." This reflects a broad consensus that clean energy will play a crucial role in the country’s future. Support for federal climate action remains robust amid ongoing climate challenges, with 85% of Canadians wanting the government to maintain or increase efforts to combat climate change. Only 14% believe the government should reduce its climate initiatives. This support spans regions and political affiliations, including 72% in Alberta and 70% of Conservative supporters. Younger Canadians (ages 18-29) are particularly
clean-energyrenewable-powerenergy-storageclimate-actionsustainable-constructionlow-carbon-materialselectric-vehicle-chargingBuilding clean does not need to break the bank - Clean Energy Canada
The article from Clean Energy Canada emphasizes that addressing Canada’s housing shortage and climate goals can be achieved simultaneously without significant cost increases. While much attention is given to reducing emissions from heating and powering homes, the emissions embedded in construction materials like concrete, steel, drywall, and insulation are often overlooked. These materials contribute substantial industrial emissions, with a single home’s construction potentially locking in emissions equivalent to decades of car travel. Given the scale of housing needed by 2030, ignoring these emissions could undermine national climate targets. Fortunately, cleaner, low-emission alternatives for key construction materials are already available at little to no additional cost. A report by Clean Energy Canada highlights that options such as low-emission drywall and insulation can reduce emissions by up to 98% without price premiums, and cleaner steel and concrete alternatives often come at negligible extra cost. Even when slight cost increases occur, they are minimal relative to overall project budgets. Prioritizing these materials supports Canadian producers, who benefit from a cleaner electricity grid and innovation, and aligns with government strategies like the “Buy Clean” approach, which mandates emissions reductions in publicly funded projects. Additionally, more efficient building designs that reduce material use can cut emissions by up to 40%, offering further savings in cost and carbon footprint. The article concludes that building affordable, climate-friendly housing with Canadian materials is both feasible and economically sensible.
energyclean-energylow-emissions-materialssustainable-constructiongreen-buildingclimate-goalsCanadian-materialsLow-grade clay turned into powerful cement for green construction
materialscementsustainable-constructionenvironmental-impactclayconcreteengineeringPhotos: Saudi Arabia's new museum is made from mud, adapting to desert
materialssustainable-constructionenergy-efficiencycultural-heritagemud-brick-architecturedesert-climatetraditional-building-techniquesPrime minister’s mandate letter creates clear opportunities for building a cleaner, more affordable Canada - Clean Energy Canada
clean-energyelectric-vehiclessustainable-constructioncarbon-pricingenergy-efficiencyrenewable-resourcesclean-technology