High-Performance, Carbon-Negative Cement from Agricultural Waste

Researchers at Penn State are developing carbon-negative concrete by repurposing waste materials and agricultural by-products like rice hulls, corn husks, and wheat straw. Their approach involves carbonating these materials to store CO₂ directly in the cement matrix, creating a new type of concrete—“GEOC concrete”—that matches or exceeds the strength of traditional cement-based formulations. By integrating AI and novel mineralization methods, the team aims to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, which currently accounts for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions, without compromising performance. This work demonstrates how innovative material design can simultaneously advance sustainability and structural integrity in construction.