Mekky, et al (2024) Evaluating environmental and economic benefits of using 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 in concrete: A life cycle assessment and multi-criteria decision-making framework. Case Studies in Construction Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03712

A recent study evaluates the potential benefits of using biochar, produced from alum sludge, as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. Traditional concrete production contributes significantly to carbon emissions, and cement manufacturing is a major culprit. To address this, researchers developed a framework to assess both the environmental and economic impact of using alum sludge biochar (ASB) as an alternative material.

Two scenarios were compared: conventional concrete with 100% cement and biochar concrete with 5% ASB replacing cement. The study used life cycle assessment (LCA) to analyze environmental impacts and a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to weigh the functional performance and costs of the two options.

The results showed that the functional properties of biochar concrete were similar to conventional concrete. However, ASB concrete had a 32.2% reduction in global warming potential. Although the costs of both scenarios were comparable, the biochar mixture achieved the highest overall score in the decision-making process, making it the preferred sustainable option.

The study concludes that using biochar in concrete not only reduces environmental impacts but also offers a viable, cost-effective solution for sustainable construction. Future research is needed to explore the long-term durability of biochar concrete and its role in meeting global sustainability goals.