Scientists and startups are pioneering a new generation of living and carbon-storing building materials that not only capture CO₂ during production but continue sequestering it throughout their lifespan.
One promising approach uses engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and laminated veneer lumber. Composed of sustainably sourced wood, these materials store approximately 1 tonne of CO₂ per cubic metre, with some—such as laminated veneer lumber—achieving negative carbon footprints (e.g., −655 kg CO₂e per m³).
Advanced techniques also integrate carbon-infused concrete, where aggregates react with CO₂ to create permanently carbonated components. A joint UC Davis–Stanford study estimates that modifying concrete and asphalt could enable built environments to store billions of tonnes of CO₂. At Northwestern University, researchers are even using seawater-derived calcium and magnesium to create entirely carbon-negative construction materials.
Beyond these, bio-based composites like mycelium (mushroom-based) and hempcrete (hemp-lime) offer natural carbon storage, low embodied energy, and thermal benefits—continuing to absorb CO₂ through their life, and even at disposal or recycling stages.
This wave of innovation signifies a shift from viewing buildings merely as energy consumers to recognizing them as active carbon sinks. When implemented at scale, these living materials can meaningfully reduce embodied emissions in construction, transforming whole cities into carbon-storing infrastructures.
