Charcrete
CharCrete is an enhanced concrete material that features the integration of biochar—a carbon sequestering material derived from organic waste, as well as other rescued waste materials such as recycled glass sand, waste wood shavings and general blended cement (type GB) which replaces 50% of regular cement with granulated blast furnace slag – an industrial by-product of iron and steel making.
Production Process
The biochar that is incorporated into the mix is sourced from a local sustainable producer. The biochar is made through a process called pyrolysis, which involves heating organic waste materials such as agricultural or farming by-products in a low-oxygen environment.
This process converts the waste into a stable form of carbon, diverts it from landfill and helps to sequester carbon, effectively storing it in a solid form within the concrete. This carbon sequestration process helps mitigate the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional concrete production.
Circular Features
In its utilization of organic waste materials as a feedstock for biochar production, CharCrete diverts organic (and other waste) from landfills and utilises it as a valuable resource, contributing to waste reduction and embedding a circular approach to production.
Material Properties
CharCrete is a lightweight and durable material with applications in handmade interior décor products such as planters, vases and bowls.
'Charazzo' is a distinct and unique design feature of CharCrete. Like terrazzo, the fine pieces of inorganic black char flecks are exposed when the concrete is sanded/polished by hand.
CharCrete can be colored by integrating iron oxide pigments. The pigment can also be recovered from the sanding process and reused in future mixes.
Availability
CharCrete is hand made in Melbourne in small batches.
Afterlife Plan
CharCrete can be broken down / crushed to use as a filler/aggregate agent in new CharCrete.