AlterBiota, a cleantech company based in Sydney, Nova Scotia, has officially transitioned from research and development to the commercialization phase with its flagship product, DeltaC (∆C™). This liquid biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More admixture is designed to modernize concrete production by enhancing performance while simultaneously sequestering carbon. During its Summer 2025 commercialization drive, the company successfully delivered over 100 cubic meters of low-carbon concrete for various commercial projects, including curbs, sidewalks, and structural pads.

The concrete industry faces a dual challenge: the urgent need to decarbonize a sector responsible for significant global emissions and the operational difficulty of integrating new materials without disrupting existing workflows. Traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ashAsh is the non-combustible inorganic residue that remains after organic matter, like wood or biomass, is completely burned. It consists mainly of minerals and is different from biochar, which is produced through incomplete combustion.   Ash Ash is the residue that remains after the complete More and steel slag are facing supply shortages due to the global decline of coal power and blast furnaces. Additionally, introducing solid biochar into mixes can often complicate logistics for producers regarding dispersion and handling, creating a barrier to widespread adoption.

DeltaC addresses these hurdles by offering a liquid admixture that integrates seamlessly into existing batching systems. Produced using a patented process that converts forestry byproducts into a performance-enhancing additive, it functions as a cement reducer and strength accelerator. By providing a liquid alternative to solid biochar, AlterBiota eliminates the need for expensive retrofits or complex handling procedures, offering a “plug-and-play” solution that replaces dwindling supplies of traditional high-performance materials like silica fume.

In a standout collaboration with ready-mix producer Casey Concrete and customer CarbonRun, DeltaC was utilized for a silo foundation in a remote location. The project specified a compressive strength of 35 MPa after 28 days; however, the DeltaC mix exceeded this target in just three days. This acceleration allowed for earlier construction timelines while reducing embodied carbon by 22%. Across broader applications, the product has demonstrated decarbonization levels ranging from 10% to 22%, proving its viability for high-performance structural applications.