The continued search for sustainable and carbon-neutral alternatives for current construction systems has resulted in the emergence of many new materials, which are aimed at improving current environmental conditions.

With about 4 billion tons of concrete produced each year and releasing a massive amount of carbon dioxide into the air, the construction industry remains under increased pressure to find viable alternatives. One such material is Ferrock, which is being produced with the aim to replace or reduce the use of concrete with a carbon-negative and better performing material, mainly comprising recycled materials.

WHAT IS FERROCK MATERIAL AND HOW IS IT MANUFACTURED?
Ferrock is created from waste steel dust (which would normally be waste) and silica from ground-up glass, which when poured and upon reaction with carbon dioxide creates iron carbonate that binds carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the Ferrock.

Roughly 95% of the Ferrock is made from recycled materials. Ferrock is both stronger and more flexible than normal Portland cement.

COST OF FERROCK
Ferrock is currently cheaper, as it is sourced from waste materials. Ferrock’s carbon-negative quality due to its ability to absorb more carbon dioxide than it creates when hardening, coupled with its relative chemical inactiveness, allows it to be used in places such as salt water without deterioration.

FERROCK’S BENEFITS
This material holds the possibility of being highly successful for small projects. However, its application in large projects may not yet be viable as sourcing large quantities of waste materials may be difficult and proved unsustainable.

If Ferrock is more widely used, the price of waste materials may become more expensive, although with the current expansion of building growth these materials will most likely remain readily available.

For more information, visit https://www.certifiedenergy.com.au/emerging-materials/emerging-materials-ferrock.

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