Terra CO2 has begun concrete trials for OPUS ZERO, a sustainable alternative to portland cement. The zero-clinker binder can be produced with globally abundant, silicate-rich feedstocks and does not require opening new mines to scale.
“OPUS ZERO represents a pivotal moment in our journey towards sustainable cement and concrete,” said DJ Lake, Terra’s founder and chief scientific officer. “Of the very few non-carbon-capture solutions to decarbonizing cement, with none proven at scale, OPUS ZERO stands above the rest for being inherently cost-efficient, practical, and scalable for the industry.”
The binder leverages proprietary polymer chemistry and reagent, and is expected to be produced in the same plants that will produce Terra’s OPUS supplementary cementitious material, tested for up to 40% portland cement replacement.
Additionally, Terra’s OPUS ZERO cement efficiently reduces carbon emissions by using just one-fifth of the calcium equivalent of conventional cements, further enhancing its environmental benefits and demonstrating a commitment to full decarbonization from source to deployment.
The concrete trials for OPUS ZERO involve extensive testing, batching, pouring of test slabs, vertical concrete and pumping, with a plan to continue through most of 2024. Early results indicate OPUS Zero meets or exceeds existing specifications for concrete strength development.
“Our OPUS ZERO alternative to legacy cement has been in development since day one at Terra, and we are excited to begin full concrete trials as a final step toward commercial readiness. The trials mark a significant milestone in our mission to build a sustainable future for all,” said Terra CO2 CEO Bill Yearsley.
