Biochar continues to expand its industrial potential through the SYNBIOCER project (Synergies of alkaline activation of construction waste and biochar addition). Led by University of Jaén professors Juan Salvador Bueno Rodríguez and Ángel Galán Martín, this initiative will develop new ceramic materials that integrate biochar to boost the circular economy in construction. The objective is twofold: to offer technical solutions that enable waste recycling and, at the same time, actively contribute to the decarbonization of the sector.
This new collaboration by Carboliva reinforces the research line initiated with the C3S (Concrete Sustainability, Science and Solutions) group at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). In this project, the partial substitution of natural sand in concrete with olive pit biochar is being studied, with very satisfactory preliminary results: the mixture not only maintains promising mechanical performance but also exhibits greater impermeability.
Carboliva’s controlled pyrolysis process allows the carbon absorbed by the olive tree to be fixed in a solid structure, preventing its release into the atmosphere. Thus, for every ton of biochar incorporated, concrete is transformed into a permanent carbon sink, demonstrating that the use of agricultural byproducts is a viable technical strategy for building more resilient cities with a lower environmental impact.
By participating in both projects, Carboliva reaffirms its commitment to strategic innovation, positioning biochar as the definitive solution to de-fossilize the industry and elevate the quality of construction materials.
In this regard, Álvaro Espuny, CEO of Carboliva, highlights that these investigations validate biochar as an efficient resource for decarbonizing processes without the need for drastic transformations or unaffordable investments. “Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world after water; therefore, integrating biochar into the buildings of the future would mark a milestone in sustainability,” Espuny assures. Under this premise, the company continues to drive R initiatives in both concrete and asphalt mixtures to lead the way toward zero-emission construction.
