Industry Outlook: Synthetic Biology in Construction Materials

The construction industry ranks as the sixth largest contributor to the global environmental footprint. Concrete, the most widely used construction material, significantly impacts CO2 emissions and water use due to cement production. This sector accounts for 23% of air pollution, 40% of drinking water pollution, and 50% of landfill waste.

The industry's major issue is its massive raw material consumption. The UK Green Building Council estimates that the UK construction industry uses 400 million tonnes of materials annually, with 100 million tonnes becoming waste. This inefficiency is akin to a garbage truck spilling 25% of its load.

Globally, the construction industry is responsible for half of all natural resource extraction. Addressing this challenge requires innovative, sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact and promote a greener future.

Key Startups catering to environmental challenges

Amidst the substantial environmental footprint of the construction industry, innovative startups are emerging with sustainable solutions to reduce raw material consumption, minimize waste, and promote eco-friendly practices, paving the way for a greener future.

Solugen, a Houston-based company, uses enzyme chemistry and renewable feedstocks to create carbon-negative chemicals. Their Relox concrete admixtures are biodegradable, non-toxic, and help reduce the use of cement and water in concrete, making it more sustainable.

Biomason uses bioengineered bacteria to "grow" cement alternative. The company claims these "Biocement" bricks are as strong as traditional cement and can be made on-site using local materials. Recently company partnered with IBF, Denmark’s largest concrete manufacturer, to produce ultra-low carbon concrete materials for Europe and to transition IBF’s portfolio to a zero carbon footprint with biocement® technology

Similarly, startups such as Prometheus Materials and Minus Materials are innovating in the development of bio-cement and bio-concrete. Prometheus Materials utilizes microalgae and natural components to produce zero-carbon bio-cement and bio-concrete, drawing inspiration from the formation of coral and oyster shells. They recently raised $8 million in a Series A funding round to further their mission of decarbonizing the building materials industry. Meanwhile, Minus Materials uses algae to create limestone, aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions in cement production.

Researches leveraging engineered micro-organism to produce construction material

To address the industry's concerns about raw material consumption and production inefficiencies, researchers from Nanyang Technological University are exploring innovative concepts such as using bacteria to form bio-cement from urea (extracted from urine) and calcium (derived from acid-treated carbide sludge).

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia optimizing self-healing bio-foamed concrete bricks using Bacillus tequilensis.

University of Bath developing smart concrete using encapsulated bacteria to make structures that can heal and repair cracks and defects themselves.

Future Outlook

The future of construction materials lies in the innovative integration of synthetic biology, promising a dramatic reduction in environmental impact and ushering in a new era of sustainable building practices

Reference

[1] Most Polluting Industries in 2024 Revealed | Heatables

[2] Synthetic Biology and Materials Science Working Together to Redefine Entire Industries - SynBioBeta