Carbicrete

Carbicrete is a Montreal-based company operating in the clean technology sector, specifically focused on decarbonizing the construction industry. The company was co-founded in 2016 by Mehrdad Mahoutian, who serves as the Chief Technology Officer, and Chris Stern. The foundational technology was developed by Mahoutian during his PhD studies in Civil Engineering at McGill University, where he sought a method to use waste materials to create carbon-sequestering construction products. Stern, a cleantech entrepreneur with a background in renewable energy, connected with Mahoutian through McGill's technology transfer office in 2015 to commercialize the innovation. In February 2024, Jacob Homiller took over as CEO to spearhead international growth, with Stern transitioning to a strategic advisor role.

Carbicrete has developed a patented process for manufacturing cement-free, carbon-negative concrete. The technology addresses the significant carbon footprint of traditional concrete production, which is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, largely due to its reliance on cement. Carbicrete's process replaces cement entirely with ground steel slag, a by-product of the steel industry that is often sent to landfills. This steel slag is mixed with aggregates, formed into products like concrete masonry units (CMUs) or pavers using standard equipment, and then cured in a specialized chamber. Instead of the conventional heat and steam curing, Carbicrete injects captured carbon dioxide into the chamber, which reacts with the slag to strengthen the concrete. This carbonation process permanently mineralizes the CO2 within the concrete, resulting in a final product that is carbon-negative.

The company's business model is centered on licensing its technology to precast concrete manufacturers. Carbicrete provides the process, materials, and technical support required to retrofit existing manufacturing plants. This allows producers to create higher-quality, lower-cost concrete products that are more durable, with higher compressive strength and better freeze-thaw resistance than their cement-based counterparts. Revenue is generated through these licensing fees and also through the sale of carbon credits earned from the sequestration of CO2. Carbicrete's target clients are concrete producers and, by extension, developers, architects, and designers seeking sustainable building materials. The company has established key partnerships with manufacturers like Patio Drummond in Quebec and Canal Block in Ontario to bring its products to market. A significant milestone was achieved in September 2023 when its products became commercially available through Patio Drummond. The company is also expanding into Europe, with a partnership with French firm POINT.P, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, set to launch a production line in France in 2026.

Keywords: carbon-negative concrete, cement-free building materials, cleantech, construction technology, steel slag recycling, carbon capture and utilization, sustainable construction, precast concrete, CO2 sequestration, green building materials, low-carbon concrete, decarbonization, circular economy, industrial waste valorization, building technology, carbon removal, ASTM C90, concrete masonry units, hardscape manufacturing, sustainable building solutions, emissions reduction technology