Carbon Sequestration and 

Concrete

Beachwood, June 8, 2022

Paul Seiler, Director of Technology
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 2

The Problem 

Second most used material in the world 

Demand for concrete, and concrete products will continue to increase

Source: The GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete report

14 billion m3

> 4 billion tons

> 40% in 

Residential

~70% Population in 

Cities

> 8% global 

CO2 Emissions
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 3

Concrete as main building material

However... Producing the Raw Materials, transporting and placing is CO2 intense!

Availability

Durability

Fire resistance

Strength

Resilience

Versatility

Place ability 

Thermal properties

Carbon uptake

Circular Economy

Concrete has several advantages to other 

building materials:

Source: The GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete report
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 4

Reducing the CO2 Footprint

Material optimization:

Supplementary Cementitious Materials

Admixtures (focus on strength)

Recycled aggregates

Fiber reinforcement

CO2 uptake during production and/or curing

Different Approaches:
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 5

Reducing the CO2 Footprint
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 6

Highly Optimized Mix Designs

One World Trade Center
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 7

Highly Optimized Mix Designs

432 Park Avenue
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 8

Opportunity

Net CO2 uptake benefits vary dramatically on how CO2is introduced to concrete

Thermodynamically favorable reaction mechanism

Stable carbonates outlasting the life of the structure

Growing concrete demand increases potential sequestration

opportunities

Source: Carbon dioxide utilization in concrete curing or mixing might not produce a net climate benefit; Dwarakanath, R et al. – Nature Communications

Utilization of CO2 during the manufacturing or curing process
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 9

Opportunity

Studies demonstrate that CO2 uptake during curing is significantly higher than during mixing 

Relies on CO2 capture, compression, 

storage and transportation

Limited time contact between CO2 

and concrete, with large amount lost 

to atmosphere.

Can have impact on strength 

development

Source: Carbon dioxide utilization in concrete curing or mixing might not produce a net climate benefit; Dwarakanath, R et al. – Nature Communications

Utilization of CO2 during the manufacturing or curing process

Redirects CO2 that would go to the 

atmosphere through a carbonation 

chamber

Longer period of contact between 

concrete and CO2

Directly contributes to the strength

development (depending on the 

binder)

Added during Mixing Added during Curing
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 10

Carbonation during Curing

Analysis indicates up to 0.75lb of CO2 captured per block. 

Source: CarbonBuilt

Example: Portlandite-rich Systems for Concrete Block

Minimal (if any) amount of OPC

Higher levels of Calcium Hydroxide

Supplementary Cementitious Materials

Admixtures

Materials:

CMUs manufactured with normal equipment

Transferred to Carbonation Chamber colocated at generation site

Process:
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 11

Effect on Embodied Carbon

82% 630 2,500

102% 550 3,400

Plant 1, Line 1 – Projected Carbon Impact
Master Builders Solutions – a brand of MBCC Group 12

Conclusion

Technologies to reduce embodied carbon exist, and continue evolving

High optimization 

Sequestration/ Mineralization

Further industrialization is key, alongside co-location

Extend to precast concrete (wet cast)

Incentives and policy changes can expedite adoption