Companies and countries seeking to achieve their decarbonization goals have prioritized the use of renewable energy. Alongside this effort, reinventing concrete has emerged as a critical focus. Producing traditional concrete and bricks is a highly polluting process, prompting universities, companies, and even agencies like DARPA to research alternative materials.
One promising candidate to replace conventional bricks is Sugarcrete (sugarcane bricks).
Sugarcrete. Research teams worldwide are testing different options for substitutes for bricks and concrete. These materials range from genetically modified wood and modern adobe bricks to staple bricks that eliminate the need for concrete as a binder.
Similarly, Sugarcrete is a low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete bricks and blocks. It’s made from a combination of sugarcane fiber, mineral binders, and sand.
Simple and sustainable. Behind Sugarcrete are researchers at the University of East London, who developed it in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainability Research and with support from sugar companies. A key feature of this innovative material is that it’s made from bagasse, the leftover fibers from the sugar production process, rather than requiring the cultivation of sugarcane solely for brick production.
This approach makes the material more accessible, given that sugarcane is one of the world’s largest crops by production volume. Moreover, it results in bricks with a carbon footprint that’s six times better than traditional clay bricks. This significant reduction in environmental impact is achieved because the production process doesn’t require high-temperature kilns.
Multiple advantages. In prototype tests conducted in the labs of the United Kingdom’s Sustainability Research Institute, researchers found that Sugarcrete is five times lighter than concrete, substantially cheaper, and has a curing time of just one week, compared to the typical 28 days required for standard concrete.
Strength is another notable benefit. The interwoven structure formed by sugarcane fibers significantly reduces the need for steel in the slabs by up to 90%. This results in a less rigid structure that’s more resistant to extreme conditions. For instance, in the event of an earthquake, fiber slabs are less likely to crack because they effectively absorb seismic shocks. Moreover, Sugarcrete offers excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties.
Local impact. Sugarcrete has clear advantages due to its properties and the environmental implications of its production. Interestingly, it also has the potential to utilize waste materials from factories worldwide. For instance, Ron Mondero, a Spain-based company that produces alcoholic beverages from cane sugar, supplied the necessary cane for this research.
Open access. One key advantage of Sugarcrete is the ease of sourcing the necessary ingredients, particularly in areas where a large amount of sugarcane waste is generated. This makes Sugarcrete an affordable option for builders. It can be produced locally, resulting in lower costs. Additionally, the environmental impact is reduced due to the sustainability of the material and less transportation involved in moving construction supplies.
The overarching goal is to make Sugarcrete accessible to everyone. “Sugarcrete is not patented. It is purposely ‘open access’ in order to establish partnerships to produce new bio-waste-based construction materials where sugar cane is grown, and the benefit is greatest,” researchers say.
Sugarcrete bricks can be created in various shapes depending on the structure in which they’ll be used and their intended objectives.
Testing. For several months, the research team has been conducting tests in different parts of the world, running programs to assess the suitability of this material for real construction processes until 2027. Additionally, the team has visited areas that could be ideal for implementing Sugarcrete.
For example, regions in India with sugarcane factories could use the byproducts for building housing. The innovative materials could also help reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector.
Sugar in concrete. While Sugarcrete is a new product aimed at replacing traditional bricks, the idea of adding sugar to conventional building materials isn’t new. For instance, a team of researchers incorporated a sugarcane byproduct, combined with a bacterium, into concrete mixes, resulting in a material with regenerative properties.
This approach is particularly interesting in terms of decarbonization, given that concrete maintenance costs are projected to reach up to $3.6 billion by 2026. Now, it remains to be seen whether biomaterials can pass the necessary tests to demonstrate their effectiveness in real-world applications and, most importantly, whether companies will view them as safe investments.
Image | Joshua Hoehne | University of East London
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