Cleaning up fashion with carbon-negative textiles
CategoriesSustainable News

Cleaning up fashion with carbon-negative textiles

Spotted: Every year, the fashion industry is responsible for 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, which is more than the maritime and aviation sectors combined. Because of this, more and more textile brands are looking for innovative ways to cut back on their carbon footprints. Enter Rubi Laboratories, which makes textiles using captured carbon dioxide. 

The US-based startup creates textiles through its patent-pending, cell-free biocatalytic process. First, the company captures CO2 from the waste streams of manufacturing processes using its proprietary enzyme system. The gas is then converted into cellulose pulp, which is used to create viscose-based yarn or fibres to be used in textiles. 

Viscose, also known as Rayon, is normally made from wood pulp, but Rubi Labs’ solution means no trees need to be cut down to produce the popular material. Using its innovative technology, the startup can create fabrics made 100 per cent from carbon emissions, with almost no water or land needed. The process also produces zero waste and, at the end of their usable life, the textiles will naturally biodegrade.

Earlier this year, the biotech startup secured an additional $8.7 million (around €8 million) in seed funding, bringing its total funds to $13.5 million (around €12.5 million). The extra funding has allowed Rubi Labs to enter its next stage of testing, including projects with Ganni, Reformation, and Urban Outfitters.

The textile industry is booming with sustainable alternative options, and Springwise has spotted fully recyclable 3D-printed footwear, plant-based plastic-free alt leather, and baby shoes that will dissolve in water.

Written By: Anam Alam

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An automated system for carbon-negative concrete
CategoriesSustainable News

An automated system for carbon-negative concrete

Spotted: Most of us are aware of the environmental harm cause by the use of concrete – around 8 per cent of all global carbon emissions are due to the use of this common material. Given the ubiquity of its use, it’s clear that achieving net zero is going to involve somehow reducing the impact of concrete and its main component – cement. Finnish company Carbonaide is working to achieve this with a carbon-negative concrete.

Concrete is a mixture of aggregate (small stones), and a paste made from cement and water. Through a chemical reaction, the cement and water hardens and gains strength to form concrete. The problem is that creating cement requires heating limestone and other ingredients to a very high heat – which takes a lot of energy. Carbonaide’s solution involves the development of an efficient method to bind carbon dioxide into precast concrete using an automated system.

This method operates at atmospheric pressure and reduces the amount of cement required to produce concrete. The company claims its technology can halve the CO2 emissions of traditional Portland cement-based concrete. In addition, the precast concrete component can include industrial side streams, such as industry slags and bio-ash, further reducing the carbon footprint.

The company’s process can permanently store and remove CO2 from the carbon cycle – making it carbon negative. Tapio Vehmas, CEO of Carbonaide, explains that the company has, “demonstrated in the pilot unit that our technology is capable of reducing the CO2 emissions of conventional concrete by 45 per cent. Last autumn, we demonstrated lowering our products’ carbon footprint to -60 kg/m3 by replacing Portland cement with slag.”

At Springwise, we have seen a wide range of innovations that focus on reducing the environmental impact of concrete. These have included a concrete designed to be covered in moss, to provide cleaner air, and a carbon-negative cement that uses rocks instead of limestone.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

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Precision-engineered, carbon-negative homes – Springwise
CategoriesSustainable News

Precision-engineered, carbon-negative homes – Springwise

Spotted: Construction is big business. Representing 5 per cent of the total GDP in developed countries with projected global revenues of $15 trillion (approximately €14.5 trillion) by 2025, the construction industry is also the single largest consumer of resources and raw materials. Accordingly, it’s a big producer of waste too, and over 30 per cent of materials delivered to construction sites end up discarded in landfill. California-based Aro Homes aims to make construction more time-efficient, with energy-optimised projects completed in as little as three months through carbon-negative, architect-designed homes.

Aro Homes’ algorithms and machine learning technology work alongside designers to maximise sight lines as well as privacy, all the while conforming with local zoning regulations. The precision-engineered structures have water-proofed exteriors, extremely high fire ratings, and are so well-insulated that they produce more energy than they use.

The homes also include electric heat pumps, low voltage lighting, and highly efficient solar panels to ensure that they are as green as possible. Compared to a traditionally built home, Aro homes use half as much energy; along with 6,000 fewer gallons of water per year. That translates into an annual reduction of 11.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

By maximising efficiency and sustainability within their homes, during construction and beyond, Aro ensures that costs and energy usage remain as low as possible for homeowners. The company’s approach could help to abate the endemic affordable housing crisis afflicting so many nations.

Aro recently closed a Series A funding round that raised $21 million (approximately €20.2 million) for further expansion of its methods into new locations.

Springwise has spotted many innovations hoping to make the construction industry more efficient and sustainable, including self-powered tiny homes and a carbon negative construction company.

Written By Keely Khoury

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