Turning limestone into a hero.
Many industrial manufacturers, including cement and concrete producers, are seeking solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of their products. In collaboration with these producers, we recognized that the fastest path to a low-carbon material was to develop a solution that did not require novel materials, new processes, and expensive technologies. So, we set out to develop a proven, familiar material to speed market adoption and accelerate global decarbonization.
The solution – a carbon-negative limestone.
Nature grows limestone –
so can we!
Did you know that photosynthetic algae can make limestone? This natural process sequesters and stores carbon dioxide in mineral form, creating a carbon-negative limestone. So, we asked ourselves, if nature can grow limestone, why can’t we?
Coccolithophores are one group of algae that Minus Materials uses to produce carbon-negative limestone. These single-celled algae are the largest source of new calcium carbonate on the planet! They create intricate shells composed of calcium carbonate particles that basically act as an armor of limestone surrounding each cell. The algae-derived, carbon-negative limestone can then be used as a replacement for quarried geological limestone.
Minus Materials’ cultivated, bio renewable limestone performs the same as quarried limestone and meets essential ASTM standards, but without the embodied carbon.
When heated, it only releases carbon dioxide that was previously sequestered from the atmosphere during the algae’s lifetime. This stands in contrast to the production of cement from quarried limestone, which causes a net release of carbon dioxide – a reaction that is responsible for 60% of the emission associated with portland cement production. And because it is a limestone, this step on the path to producing carbon-negative cement will not require process disruptions.
Minus Materials’ cultivated limestone is also an excellent filler for portland cement, meeting the growing demand for a reliable portland limestone cement (PLC) by cement manufacturers and concrete producers. The elegance of our grown limestone is that the resulting blended cement actually stores away the carbon dioxide extracted by the algae in durable mineral form, creating a permanent carbon sink.
In addition, the expected rapid production time of our product alleviates many logistical challenges of traditional limestone quarrying. These challenges include permitting, quality and consistency concerns, and diminished regional availability often leading to long-haul shipments and associated increased costs.
One change.
Massive impact.
With the world on track to build a new New York City every month for the next 40 years, now is the time to convert buildings into carbon sinks. By replacing quarried limestone with a homegrown version we can also improve air quality, reduce environmental damage, and increase equitable access to building materials around the world.
We see a world in which producing construction materials can heal the planet. Our carbon-negative limestone is designed to lead the change with an easy to adopt, reliable material that can help industries achieve significant emissions reductions. For the cement and concrete industry specifically, it can also be easily combined with other innovative technologies to enable the production of the world’s first carbon-negative portland cement.
Let’s connect.
Cement and concrete producers.
Leaders and collaborators wanted.
Are you a cement manufacturer, ready-mix supplier, or precast producer leading the way to meet the sustainability needs of your market? Are you looking for a solution that can easily be adopted to your current processes? Are you facing the possibility of future limestone shortages? Minus Materials invites you to contact us.
Interested in working at Minus Materials?
Problem solvers and optimists celebrated.
Are you as excited as we are about this challenge? Do you want to innovate in a diverse and inclusive environment? Are you ready to do the hard work to take sustainable materials development to the next level? Do you recognize and acknowledge that active collaboration with the experts in the construction materials ecosystem is key to success? If you answered yes to these questions, please drop us a line and tell us why you should be part of our team.
Other questions?
Ask away.
Are you a member of the AEC community wanting to learn more about our product? Are you an owner looking for innovative ways to meet your sustainability goals? Are you a part of another industry that relies on consistent, quality limestone powder? Are you a member of the media looking to inform your readers about new paths to a zero-carbon built environment? Are you an investor looking to invest in a solution that massively reduces the greenhouse gas emissions? We’d love to hear from you!