News

Enzymatic structural material proposes a revolution in sustainable construction

Concrete is the most widely used material in the world, and also one of the most polluting.

More than 4 billion tons of cement are produced every year, accounting for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions. The cement industry alone emits more carbon than any country except China and the United States.

To change this scenario, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have developed an innovative solution: Enzymatic Structural Material (ESM). Instead of emitting CO₂, the material removes carbon from the atmosphere during production.

Why is concrete so polluting?

Cement production depends on a process known as calcination, which requires heating limestone to temperatures above 1,400°C. This generates emissions for two reasons:

• 60% come from the chemical breakdown of limestone, releasing CO₂ even when renewable energy is used;

• 40% come from burning fossil fuels to keep the kiln operating.

In addition, conventional concrete has a slow curing process (28 days), is difficult to recycle, and typically becomes waste at the end of its life cycle.

How does ESM work?

ESM is based on a natural biomineralization process. It replicates how shells and bones form in nature: at ambient temperature, using enzymes.

The key enzyme: Carbonic Anhydrase (CA)

This enzyme catalyzes the reaction between CO₂ and water, converting carbon into calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). This solid mineral forms the structural basis of ESM.

How the material takes shape

ESM is composed of:

• Sand;

• A water-soluble polymer;

• Hydrochar (a biomass byproduct that acts as a substrate for CaCO₃ crystal growth).

The result is a solid material that hardens within hours and binds through calcite crystals, rather than silicates as in conventional concrete.

ESM vs. conventional concrete

ESM is already structurally viable for houses, sidewalks, and precast elements. It does not yet reach the strength required for bridges or high-rise buildings, but testing is ongoing.

Carbon-negative and circular economy

Unlike many “carbon-neutral” materials, ESM is carbon-negative. For every cubic meter produced, it:

• Avoids up to 330 kg of CO₂ emissions;

• Removes an additional 6.1 kg of CO₂ from the atmosphere.

In a project using 10,000 m³ of ESM, the carbon savings would be equivalent to removing 700 cars from the road for one year.

ESM can also be crushed and reused with lower energy input. The enzyme may even reactivate over time to heal cracks, extending the service life of structures.

Cost and commercialization

Currently, ESM costs approximately US$220/m³, compared to US$163/m³ for conventional concrete. However:

• Rapid curing reduces construction time;

• Self-healing lowers maintenance costs;

• Carbon savings may generate credits.

These factors help offset the higher upfront cost. The startup Enzymatic Inc., founded by the researchers, has already received funding from the National Science Foundation and is advancing toward scaled production.

Global impact

ESM can be produced locally, without high-temperature kilns. This makes it well suited for:

• Rapid reconstruction after natural disasters;

• Affordable housing in developing countries.

The project also supports educational initiatives, such as Girls Inc., helping teach engineering to girls in underrepresented communities.

Conclusion

Enzymatic Structural Material represents a paradigm shift. High-emission industrial processes give way to regenerative biological chemistry.

It offers a credible pathway to transform the construction sector into part of the climate solution, rather than a source of the problem.

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Video

Heat in Brazilian cities is no accident

In the 21st century, living in a Brazilian city is becoming a thermal challenge. And it is not caused by global warming alone. Rising urban temperatures are largely a direct consequence of how our cities were planned, or, more accurately, commodified.

Accelerated urbanization, driven by real estate speculation and unregulated growth, has suffocated the natural cooling mechanisms of cities. The result? Hot nights, stagnant air, compromised natural ventilation, and a growing dependence on air-conditioning systems. But this individual solution carries a collective cost: higher energy consumption, more heat emissions, and intensified urban heat islands.

Cities have lost their ability to breathe.

Tall buildings that block prevailing winds. Sidewalks and streets fully sealed by impermeable surfaces. A lack of vegetation and shaded areas. Construction materials that absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Even more alarming, this urban logic disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations. The hottest neighborhoods in Brazilian cities are almost always those with the highest concentration of low-income residents.

We are facing a structural problem, one that cannot be solved with a “rain garden” here or a “green wall” there. This is not about decorating the city, but about fundamentally rethinking how it operates and whom it serves.

If heat has become an urban problem, the solution must be collective, structural, and political.

Want to understand how we got here, and, more importantly, how we can break this vicious cycle?

Watch the full video that inspired this discussion and dive deeper into the issue.

Disclaimer: The video is in Brazilian Portuguese, but simultaneous translation and subtitles are available in multiple languages.