Japan continues to lead the global conversation on sustainability, a priority that has been deeply ingrained in governmental policies for decades. Reflecting back to a seminal official document from 2012, Japan’s commitment to sustainability is clear, emphasizing the nation’s proactive stance on environmental issues.
Historically, Japan has grappled with the consequences of pollution since the 1960s, following tragic incidents where contaminated water discharged from factories led to fatalities. The nation, being an archipelago with limited land and resources, has long focused on maximizing efficiency and utilization, which aligns perfectly with the principles of sustainability.
In a recent breakthrough, the University of Tokyo has unveiled the usage of the brick shown in the image above, that promises to revolutionize the construction industry. This project, initiated in 2021, has now come to fruition.
The “Green Brick” Revolution
Contrary to its name, the ‘green brick’ is not green in color—it is typically white or light gray—but it is green in the environmental sense, embodying eco-friendly principles.
The University of Tokyo’s project is titled “Calcium Carbonate Circulation System for Construction,” addressing two critical issues. Firstly, concrete production has a significant environmental impact, particularly due to the high temperatures required to process limestone. Secondly, limestone reserves are scarce in Japan.
To recycle old concrete into new material, scientists have introduced carbon dioxide (CO2) extracted from the air or industrial processes, enhancing the eco-friendliness by removing carbon from the atmosphere. The bricks are ground into a fine powder and mixed with CO2. This “carbonated powder” is then pressurized with a calcium bicarbonate solution and placed in a mold before being heated to form a new construction block. The entire process takes approximately three months, resulting in bricks robust enough for standard housing and pavement construction.
Sustainable Recycling Cycle
The beauty of the project lies in the bricks’ reusability. At the end of their lifecycle, the bricks can be ground down to restart the process for new constructions.
Professor Ippei Maruyama, one of the project’s creators, explains, “We are trying to develop systems that can contribute to a circular economy and carbon neutrality. In Japan, the current demand for construction material is less than in the past, so it is a good time to develop a new type of construction business, while also improving our understanding of this vital material through our research.”
Researchers have already successfully constructed small structures with the new bricks. Their next ambitious goal is to build a two-story house entirely from these ‘green bricks,’ marking a significant step toward sustainable construction practices in Japan.
Source: newatlas
