Materials & Supplies

How Concrete-Nitrogen Mix Could Cut Site Pollution

The nitrogenation process could reduce NOx by 131-384Mt by 2050.

Updated on

June 21, 2024

A new study suggests that adding nitrogen to concrete can drastically cut construction pollution, potentially moving the industry off the list of high-emission sectors.

The study by researchers at the University of Birmingham, published in Nature—an international weekly journal of science—shows that nitrogenating concrete could cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 3.4-6.9 megatonnes (Mt).

This reduction is equivalent to 6-13% of industry-related emissions in 2021.

NOx is a highly reactive and toxic air pollutant that causes acid rain and systematically breaks down the ozone layer. It poses significant risks to human health, particularly through its contribution to respiratory diseases.

According to the study, nitrogenation can reduce NOx by a total of 131-384Mt by 2050, which would be the equivalent of 75–260 years potentially lost through premature death and reduced quality of life in disability-adjusted years.

“Applying this technology holds promise for rapidly urbanising and emerging industrial regions, as it can generate substantial economic value and curtail industrial NOx pollution in these areas,” said the study’s lead author, Ning Zhang.

Zhang highlighted that nitrogenated concrete offers a promising solution to reduce air pollution and tackle construction waste in developed countries.

Global NOx emissions

Cities worldwide, mainly in the global south, are experiencing rapid urban renewal, expansion and modernization. These new constructions alone have led to construction pollution.

“Between 1970 and 2018, global NOx emissions nearly doubled from 70Mt to 120Mt,” says Co-author Dr Yuli Shan, from the University of Birmingham.

“Addressing and managing these emissions is crucial for enhancing urban health, fostering sustainable industrial growth, and ensuring environmental wellbeing.”

However, despite the promising results, nitrogenation faces challenges, especially in transporting large volumes of materials and gases.

To address this, experts recommend using industrial concrete carbonation systems to optimise the logistics network and enhance the feasibility of the process.

They also advocate for establishing an emissions trading system similar to the one already in place for carbon, which would provide a more precise quantification of the benefits associated with NOx sequestration.