Subscribe now

THE cluster of beige corrugated-iron sheds and silos don’t look like much, but this unassuming factory in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, represents a potential revolution in greenhouse gas emissions. It’s the first commercial enterprise in the world dedicated to transforming waste from power stations and blast furnaces into geopolymer concrete, a particularly promising green concrete.

The factory, owned by the company Zeobond, is due to start operations in February. Unlike with regular concrete the chemical reactions that form this polymer-based alternative don’t give off carbon dioxide or require high temperatures, which also lead to CO2 emissions. So…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop