Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways

Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Inc. (Carbon Upcycling), a leader in decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization (CCU) for hard-to-abate industries, along with, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) has successfully completed the construction phase of a multi-year study on the use of low-carbon cement in highways. The results highlight Carbon Upcycling’s ability to be a drop-in solution for reducing carbon-intensive cement in concrete.

The study, managed by Sutter Engineering LLC and sponsored by the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA), rigorously tested 16 unique concrete mixtures in real-world conditions on an active Minnesota highway to identify options that could reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure without sacrificing strength or durability. Completed in early 2024, the study aimed to find materials that could significantly lower the carbon footprint of concrete paving without compromising durability. Carbon Upcycling's CO2-enhanced mix achieved a 12.3% reduction in cement content while matching the workability of traditional concrete, allowing seamless handling, placement, and setting times for construction crews. These findings provide valuable data to guide future low-carbon infrastructure projects across North America, as the seamless integration into existing workflows offers a drop-in, low-carbon alternative without compromising ease of use or performance.

The study revealed significant performance and environmental benefits of Carbon Upcycling’s concrete mix:

Increased Strength: 28% stronger at 28 days compared to the advanced control concrete.

Reduced Cement Use: The CCU process allowed a 12.3% reduction in cementitious material, effectively reducing both carbon emissions and material costs.

Greater Resiliency to Natural Elements: 32% increase in chloride resistivity for more durable concrete.

"Infrastructure is the very foundation of a sustainable future, and at Carbon Upcycling we’re committed to creating materials that support this vision while establishing a secure, stable North American supply chain," said Apoorv Sinha, CEO of Carbon Upcycling. "Our collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation highlights how Carbon Upcycling can transform captured emissions into local materials that strengthen our infrastructure. By focusing on resilience and sustainability, we're contributing to a vision where our essential structures are clean and built to last."

Carbon Upcycling partnered with BURNCO to deploy and test 140 m3 of its CCU-enhanced concrete mix, monitored by Larry Sutter, Principal Engineer at Sutter Engineering LLC, for strength, workability, and environmental impact on a Minnesota highway.

“Carbon Upcycling submitted a very impressive mixture design to the trial,” said Larry Sutter, MnDOT’s Principal Engineer and the project’s technical manager. “Their material not only achieved the highest reduction in cementitious content among all submissions but also demonstrated remarkable strength. By embedding CO2 and reducing the reliance on portland cement, Carbon Upcycling’s technology addresses one of the concrete industry’s most pressing challenges—lowering its carbon footprint as global demand for cement is expected to double by 2050. This project data will be invaluable as the industry works toward its 2030 CO2 reduction targets.”

Since 2021, Carbon Upcycling has deployed over 3,000 tonnes of low-carbon cement and has attracted investment from some of the world’s largest cement industry players such as Cemex, CRH and Titan Cement.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Carbon Upcycling Technologies. (2024, November 18). Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways. AZoBuild. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from https://www.azobuild.com/news.aspx?newsID=23649.

  • MLA

    Carbon Upcycling Technologies. "Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways". AZoBuild. 13 December 2024. <https://www.azobuild.com/news.aspx?newsID=23649>.

  • Chicago

    Carbon Upcycling Technologies. "Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways". AZoBuild. https://www.azobuild.com/news.aspx?newsID=23649. (accessed December 13, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Carbon Upcycling Technologies. 2024. Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways. AZoBuild, viewed 13 December 2024, https://www.azobuild.com/news.aspx?newsID=23649.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.