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How to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry

4 episodes

1

“We can reduce CO2 emissions from cement by a factor of 10”
2

Eco-design software for more environmentally-friendly construction
3

Towards a circular economy in the construction sector?
4

Bio-based materials improve the comfort and carbon footprint of buildings

Épisode 1/4

“We can reduce CO2 emissions from cement by a factor of 10”

Isabelle Dumé, Science journalist

On January 6th, 2022

3 min reading time

Mohend Chaouche

CNRS research director at ENS Paris Saclay

Key takeaways

Cement, which is the main component of concrete, is responsible for approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions.
The goal of the new Matériaux cimentaires éco-efficaces (MC²E) laboratory, a collaboration between the CNRS, l’ENS Paris Saclay et Ecocem, is to develop alternative low-carbon-impact cements.
Researchers at the MC²E have managed to reduce the amount of cement in concrete by a factor of five.
They have also developed a new (patented) cement based on waste residues from the steel industry that has an 80% smaller carbon impact than conventional cement. The new cement is already on the market.
It might thus be possible to achieve carbon neutrality quite quickly in this area without having to resort to so-called disruptive techniques.

Épisode 2/4

Eco-design software for more environmentally-friendly construction

Isabelle Dumé, Science journalist

On January 6th, 2022

4 min reading time

Bruno Peuportier

Research Director for the Environmental Research Lab at MINES ParisTech

Key takeaways

Researchers are developing novel software to help design more environmentally-friendly buildings. This “eco-design” approach is becoming ever more popular in the building sector.
The goal is to make relevant decisions as early as possible in the design process of a building, as these are the ones that will have the greatest impact on the environmental performance of a project.
Such software works for both renovating existing buildings and constructing new buildings.
One of the optimisation techniques developed by the Mines ParisTech team, based on “genetic algorithms”, has been particularly popular with house builders.

Épisode 3/4

Towards a circular economy in the construction sector?

Isabelle Dumé, Science journalist

On January 6th, 2022

4 min reading time

Noé Basch

Founder of Lab Ingénierie and Co-founder of Mobius Réemploi

Key takeaways

The company, mobius réemploi, is proposing a way to integrating reused materials originating into new or rehabilitated buildings.
Their approach involves carrying out in-depth study, from the design phase onwards, to evaluate whether reused materials are better in terms of environmental impact than completely new materials.
While reuse of construction materials is good for the environment, at present, it remains more expensive than using new materials.
That said, from 2022 onwards the construction sector will be subject to regulations requiring the limitation of carbon emissions, so the question of materials from reuse will become important.
The advantage of reuse is that it does not depend raw material markets, so prices can remain stable over time.

Épisode 4/4

Bio-based materials improve the comfort and carbon footprint of buildings

On October 4th, 2022

5 min reading time

Thibaut Lecompte

Lecturer at Université Bretagne-Sud

Vincent Picandet

Lecturer at Université Bretagne-Sud

Key takeaways

In order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the manufacture of construction materials, opting for biosourced materials (derived from animal or plant biomass) seems to be a good alternative.
Unlike conventional materials, biobased materials not only avoid depleting soil carbon but also store atmospheric CO₂ for decades.
Biobased materials offer many opportunities, both in terms of overall comfort and carbon footprint, provided that the biomass extracted is offset by the production.
However, biobased materials currently account for only 12% of materials used in the building industry: the arrival of new regulations could change this.

Contributors

Isabelle Dumé

Science journalist

Isabelle Dumé holds a PhD in physics. She collaborates with various scientific magazines and media, public and private institutions, and actors in higher education and research in France and worldwide.