Canada-based Carbon Upcycling Technologies, a leader in circular decarbonisation solutions for hard-to-abate sectors including cement, steel and mining, has made its first delivery in 2024 of 200t of CO2-enhanced fly ash to construction materials company BURNCO Rock Products, as part of an initiative to deploy low-carbon concrete in the City of Calgary.

This delivery marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Carbon Upcycling and BURNCO, made possible by the CAD4.4m (US$3.2m) Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) Circular Economy Grant awarded to Carbon Upcycling last year. The grant aims to support innovative projects that promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

The fly ash used in this project is sourced from reclaimed material from a landfill and processed through Carbon Upcycling’s proprietary technology which, unlike traditional carbon capture technologies, captures CO2 from flue gas and utilises it to enhance materials like fly ash to be a more sustainable and efficient alternative for a portion of cement. Carbon Upcycling not only reduces emissions but also upcycles waste materials into valuable alternatives for carbon-intensive processes like cement production.

“Carbon Upcycling’s technology represents a game-changer in the construction industry, offering a viable solution to reduce carbon emissions while producing high-quality, low-carbon concrete,” said Apoorv Sinha, co-founder and CEO of Carbon Upcycling Technologies. “By harnessing CO2 and waste materials, we are not only mitigating environmental impact but also driving innovation in sustainable construction practices.”