Building Future Cities with Eco-Friendly Concrete CP Concrete
Building Future Cities with Eco-Friendly Concrete — CP Concrete
Cities are the "stages of daily life" where people gather and live.
The paths we walk, the places where we gather, and the spaces that keep us safe.
We want to make these cities kinder to the planet, and durable enough to be used with peace of mind for generations to come.
That is the vision behind CP Concrete.
Today, as climate change and environmental issues grow increasingly severe, sustainable choices are urgently required in construction.
However, simply being eco-friendly is not enough.
It must also be strong, long-lasting, and truly capable of connecting us to the future—otherwise, it loses its purpose.
A new concrete born for this changing era.
CP Concrete possesses the strength to reliably support infrastructure while reducing CO₂.
CP Concrete Mechanism
Two Methods for Absorbing CO₂ into Concrete
Various experiments are underway to efficiently absorb CO₂ into CP Concrete. Among these, two methods are currently drawing particular attention: the "Immersion Method" and the "Spraying Method."
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Immersion Method (Shinseki-shiki)
A method of soaking aggregate—a key concrete material—in water containing CO₂
- Submerging aggregate in an alkali carbonate solution (water containing dissolved CO₂) for a period allows it to absorbCO₂.
- During this process, maintaining an optimal pH (alkalinity level) is crucial to prevent calcium Ca within the aggregatefrom leaching out.
- Research is currently underway to develop practical pH management methods for real-world plant operations.
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Spraying Method (Funmu-shiki)
A method of spraying water containing CO₂ as a fine mist
- This process involves lightly spraying aggregate with CO₂-infused water (nanobubble water) and then drying it using CO₂ gas.
- Repeating this"moistening → drying" cycle multiple times has been shown to allow significantly more CO₂ to be absorbed into the material.
- Research is currently underway to determine the optimal timing (cycle duration) for these repetitions.
Why is such innovation required?
While concrete is a familiar everyday material, getting it to absorb CO₂ efficiently and in large amounts is no easy task. That is why we are conducting detailed research into questions like "How can we ensure maximum absorption?" and "Will this negatively affect material quality?", continually advancing development so the technology can be seamlessly applied at actual construction sites.
Eco-Friendly Collaboration
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Absorbing CO₂ Generated During Power Generation
At the "Ibuki Green Energy" biomass power plant in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture, CO₂ (exhaust gas) emitted during power generation is directly captured and absorbed into concrete.
Actual Sequestered Amount (Actual Track Record)
83.6 kg per m³
Key Innovations & Key Adjustments
- Exhaust gas contains a large amount of moisture (humidity). If humidity is too high, it can prevent concrete from absorbing CO₂ effectively.
- We created optimal conditions for concrete to absorb CO₂ by reducing moisture levels in the exhaust gas and optimizing airflow and exposure techniques.
- Steps are also taken to prevent gas temperatures from dropping too low, as excessively low temperatures can hinder effective CO₂ absorption by the concrete.
Summary
By directly fixing CO₂ emitted during power generation into concrete, it can be reused without releasing it into the atmosphere. This approach creates a highly efficient system that generates electricity while simultaneously reducing CO₂.
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Absorbing CO₂ Captured from Waste Incineration Plants
We investigated how to efficiently sequester CO₂ gas captured from the Itabashi Waste Incineration Plant into concrete. Using a process called accelerated carbonation curing, we successfully sequestered CO₂ into the concrete used for 10 display benches.
Actual Sequestered Amount (Actual Track Record)
43 kg per m³
Why is this important?
- Normally, burning waste releases large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. However, by locking that CO₂ away inside concrete—though invisible to the eye—we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, as demonstrated here, applying this concrete to public benches and sidewalks creates a positive cycle where eco-friendly materials become an active part of urban infrastructure.
※What is accelerated carbonation curing?
It is a technology that injects CO₂ while the concrete is hardening, trapping the gas directly within the material.
CP Concrete - FAQs
CO₂ chemically within its materials. CP Concrete utilizes special materials and manufacturing processes to maximize this absorption efficiently and in large volumes. Furthermore, when the concrete reaches the end of its life, it can absorb CO₂ once again during recycling.
Where CP Concrete Was Used: Expo 2025 "Future City" Pavilion
At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan's "Future City" Pavilion,
CP Concrete was utilized not only for seating inside the CPCC exhibition space, but also for paving around the pavilion, floor slabs in indoor corridors, and benches. Throughout the Expo event period, monitoring of CO₂ absorption and sequestration remained ongoing.
