Sheffield firm crafts bricks that trap carbon

A Sheffield-based materials start-up has launched bricks that absorb and permanently store carbon dioxide.

Founded in 2023, earth4Earth has developed soil-based bricks using Direct Air Capture technology to extract CO2 from the air, turning buildings into carbon sinks.

Made from excavated soil combined with a unique low-emission binder, the bricks are both durable and chemically lock in carbon.

The bricks are fully recyclable and can be reused or returned to the soil, keeping the carbon securely stored.

Inspired by ancient Chinese earth buildings, earth4Earth’s products offer varying levels of carbon absorption to suit different construction needs.

Bosses say with a research and development centre at Sheffield Technology Parks and a factory in Wuhan, China, earth4Earth plans to begin UK production next year, creating around 30 local jobs.

Professor Theodore Hanein, Co-founder of earth4Earth, said: “The binder is incredibly unique.

“As with most traditional binders, ours is lime based. 

“Lime is typically produced by heating limestone at temperatures of around 1000C. 

“Traditional production generates CO2 emissions from both the breakdown of the raw materials and the fossil fuels needed to achieve the high temperatures required. 

“We have developed a unique lime production process that can be done at room temperature.    

“All of the carbon produced during the manufacture of the e4E binder is also permanently stored in a solid form, rather than being released into the atmosphere as CO2. 

“We are incredibly excited about how our work is going to help construction projects achieve net-zero, and the huge difference it will make in restoring planetary health.”  

Lei Zhang, director and co-founder of earth4Earth, added: “We are planning to develop other types of brick and materials using the e4E binder in the future too. 

“We want to provide practical solutions to the decarbonisation of the construction industry, and we believe that high-quality materials with a range of eco-credentials will deliver this. 

“It has been great to collaborate with others on our journey, and we are keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in joining us to scale this innovative solution further.”

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