Plant waste? The surprising secret ingredient making concrete stronger and greener

USASK researchers have discovered that the integration of biochar into cement produces concrete that is both stronger and more durable.

In Canada, it often seems that the year is divided into only two seasons: winter and construction. From repairing sidewalks and roads to the construction of houses and apartments, almost all of this work is based on cement, the essential ingredient of concrete.

However, cement production has a major environmental impact, representing approximately eight to ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Researchers from the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan (USASK) examine whether part of the cement used in concrete could be replaced by biochar to create a more sustainable alternative.

Role of biochar in concrete

Biochar is a beautiful carbon -rich material created when plant waste (biomass) is burned in a low oxygen content. “We use the non -codible component, such as linen or wheat straw,” explains Ravi Patel, a doctoral student in Usask. “Normally, this type of plant waste is left on the ground.” Patel and his team wanted to test how the substitution of biochar could influence the strength and sustainability of concrete. The use of biochar reduces the need for cement and also locks carbon stored in plant material.

The researchers experienced different proportions of biochar in the cement mixture and tested the resulting samples. They first evaluated to what extent the samples have resisted the stress and wear typical of these concrete experiences in real conditions. Subsequently, they analyzed the equipment of the Canadian light source, a national research center in Usask, to study the microstructure of the samples. Their results have shown that improved Biochar concrete was stronger and less porous than concrete made with higher amounts of cement.

Test long -term performance

Then, the team will assess the performance of improved concrete in Biochar in the longer term. “In our research, we studied the new concrete of formula for up to 56 days,” explains Patel. “But we must verify this concrete force after a year or two years, because all the structures will stay here for 50, 60, 70 years. We must understand the long -term behavior of how biochar helps improve resistance properties. ”

The project could lead to several improvements in the construction industry: concrete production could be more respectful of the environment, using plant waste that would otherwise have a hard concrete.

“As a researcher, we want to give back to our society, to our environment,” explains Patel. “It feels good to get a positive result so that we can really help approach climate change.”

Reference: “Biochar study in materials cement for the development of green concrete composites” by Ravi Patel, Jarvis Stobbs and Bishnu Echarya, June 31, 2025, Scientific relationships.
Two: 10.1038 / S41598-025-07210-3

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