Conventional building materials are responsible for around 11% of global CO₂ emissions. To change this, we need innovative, new building materials - which not only save CO₂ emissions, but also bind CO₂ in the long term. And thus become a CO₂ sink. This is made possible by building materials that contain green carbon, for example. Instead of just climate-neutral construction, these new building materials enable climate-positive construction - simply put, they create buildings that store the CO₂ extracted from the atmosphere in the long term.

The science behind it: Minus-CO₂ meets construction

When Green Carbon is used in durable building materials, the result is Minus-CO₂ - a scientifically recognized negative emission technology. This means that buildings become active CO₂ reservoirs that have a positive impact on the climate over their entire lifespan.

What makes building materials with green carbon so revolutionary?

The green carbon from our reverse power plants has unique properties for the construction industry:

• Permanent CO₂ storage: up to 30% of the CO₂ originally bound in the forest residues remains stored in the building material for centuries
• Improved material properties: Higher strength, better insulation values and optimized durability
• Climate-positive balance: every tonne of Green Carbon in the building material corresponds to a permanent CO₂ sink

Climate clay: the building material of the future is already here

Climate clay is probably the most promising application of green carbon in the construction industry. The addition of up to 3% green carbon results in remarkable improvements:

Our partner CarStorCon Technologies provides a tried-and-tested example with the additive ^Clim@Add®: the patented optimization of green carbon makes it possible to incorporate it into almost any concrete application. The material is easy to process, can be pumped and existing systems can be used without major adjustments¹.

Technical advantages

The following improvements are based on CarStorCon Clim@Add® technology¹:

• Improved workability: Easy to apply, pumpable and optimized for high outside temperatures.
• Seamless integration: Existing systems and feeding mechanisms can be used without major adjustments.
• Compatibility: Can be easily combined with existing sustainability measures such as recycling solutions.
• Chemical stability: EBC-certified Green Carbon with a permanently stable molecular structure.

Climate protection aspects

• CO₂ storage: 1 kg of ^Clim@Add® can permanently store up to 3 kg of ^CO₂¹
• Permanent CO₂ sinks: the green carbon forms a permanent bond with the concrete matrix
• Circular economy: use of forest residues from sustainable forestry and fast-growing roadside greenery¹

Findings from practice

• Processing: Seamless integration into existing construction processes, as confirmed by CarStorCon with Clim@Add®¹
• Optics: Characteristic dark coloring as a design element
• Carbon footprint: measurable CO₂ storage thanks to stable carbon in the concrete matrix

Insulation materials: Insulate and store CO₂ at the same time

Green Carbon and biochar are also revolutionizing thermal insulation. In climate-positive insulating materials, it combines excellent insulating properties with permanent CO₂ binding:

Innovative applications

• Foam insulation: As a filler in PU and other foams
• Fiber insulation: admixture to wood fiber and cellulose insulation
• Blow-in insulation: Improving thermal conductivity and moisture regulation
• Vacuum insulation: Optimized support structures with green carbon

Advantages for construction companies:

• Better U-values: Up to 10% improved insulation performance
• Moisture regulation: Natural climate regulation indoors
• Fire protection: Increased fire resistance due to the carbon structure
• Durability: More stable insulation effect over the entire service life of the building

The versatility of green carbon enables innovative solutions in a wide range of building materials such as paints, coatings, plaster, mortar and much more, in addition to the areas of application mentioned.

The economic efficiency of climate-positive building materials

Contrary to widespread assumptions, building materials with green carbon are already economically attractive today:

Cost factors

• Material costs: around 5-15% surcharge compared to conventional building materials
• Processing costs: No additional costs due to established processes
• Lifetime costs: Reduced maintenance and longer service life

Economic advantages

• CO₂ certificates: revenue possible through BCR certification
• Funding programs: Increasing public support for climate-positive building materials
• Increase in value: properties with sustainable building materials achieve higher sales prices
• ESG compliance: meeting sustainability targets for companies and investors

Standardization and certification: the path to market maturity

The integration of green carbon into building materials is carried out according to strict standards:

Relevant norms and standards:

• DIN EN 206: Adaptations for climate clay with green carbon
• European Biochar Standard (EBC): Quality assurance for biochar in building materials
• DGNB/BREEAM: Assessment systems for sustainable building recognize climate-positive building materials
• BCR certification: proof of permanent CO₂ storage

Quality assurance:

• Material testing: regular inspection of Green Carbon
• Application tests: Long-term tests for durability and stability
• CO₂ balancing: transparent documentation of the climate impact
• Traceability: complete documentation of the supply chain from forest residues to building material

The future of climate-positive construction

A look into the future shows that much is still possible through innovation and research if climate-positive construction or the combination of climate protection and construction measures is prioritized. This would also increase political and social awareness of the potential of green carbon and biochar in building materials.

Trends and developments

• Smart buildings: integration of IoT sensors for CO₂ balance monitoring
• 3D printing: First trials with green carbon-based printing materials
• Modular construction: Prefabricated elements with optimized Green Carbon
• Refurbishment: retrofit solutions for existing buildings

Market forecasts

• Volume: Market share of 15% expected for innovative building materials by 2030
• Prices: Further cost reduction through economies of scale and optimization
• Applications: Expansion to infrastructure construction, civil engineering and special applications
• Regional: Expansion in emerging markets with major construction programs

Conclusion: Building as active climate protection?

Building materials with green carbon are transforming the construction industry from an emitter to an active player in climate protection. Every building becomes a CO₂ sink, every construction site a contribution against climate change. The technology is available, the standards are being established and the first projects are proving that climate-positive construction is feasible.

In addition to renewable energy, SYNCRAFT also produces green carbon, which in turn is the basis for a construction industry that removes more CO₂ from the atmosphere than it emits. With our reverse power plants and the green carbon they produce, we have the means to lay the foundations for a climate-positive future.

Reverse is forward - also in the construction industry. Because the future is climate-positive construction.

Further information:

• Green Carbon and its versatile applications
• The Reversepowerplant: Innovation for climate-positive energy
• SYNCRAFT Reversepowerplants at a glance

Sources and further reading:

¹ CarStorCon Technologies GmbH: Clim@Add® technology. https://carstorcon.technology/technologie/ (as of 2025)
² Lehmann, J. et al. (2021): Biochar carbon removal and storage. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2, 1-13.
Schmidt, H.-P. et al. (2019): European Biochar Certificate - Guidelines for a Sustainable Production of Biochar. Version 10.1. European Biochar Foundation.
⁴ IPCC (2022): Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Working Group III Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report.
⁵ Woolf, D. et al. (2010): Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nature Communications, 1, 56.
⁶ Joseph, S. et al. (2021): How biochar works, and when it doesn't: A review of mechanisms controlling soil and plant responses to biochar. GCB Bioenergy, 13, 1731-1764.
⁷ Renewable Carbon Initiative (2023): Carbon Utilization in Construction Materials. RCI Policy Paper.
⁸ DGNB System (2023): Criterion ENV1.1 - Life cycle assessment of the building. German Sustainable Building Council.
⁹ European Commission (2023): EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. COM(2022) 141 final.
¹⁰ Building Research Establishment (2022): BREEAM International New Construction Manual. Version 6.0.