The construction and building sector is one of the world economy’s largest sectors, with estimated annual expenditure on products and services exceeding USD 10 trillion in 2019. The sector is estimated to have contributed approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, while building activities are projected to double by 2060 as a result of population growth and urbanization. Decarbonization of this sector is therefore imperative to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing anthropogenic climate change and resource depletion.
To this end, sustainability-driven innovations, which remain comparatively limited in the construction and building sector, are highly needed. Sustainable bio-based materials, composites, admixtures, and alternatives to conventional cement, steel, and plastics are key to transforming this sector toward a carbon-neutral or potentially carbon-negative future.
This project addresses cement longevity by developing biobased self-healing cementitious systems. Self-healing concrete contributes to lowering maintenance costs by reducing the need for external intervention, including the detection and repair of cracks. The project undertakes fundamental research to elucidate bio-mediated mechanisms relevant to mineral formation, crack sealing, and durability enhancement in cementitious binder systems.
The incorporation of biobased performance additives into cementitious materials has the potential to improve material durability, extend service life, reduce repair-related emissions, and support the development of more sustainable construction materials. By enhancing the intrinsic repair capacity of cement-based systems, this approach contributes to reducing resource consumption and improving the environmental performance of the built environment.
