New CarbonLoc^TM material technology

LOC Composites is currently working on a major new materials technology that will store large amounts of atmospheric carbon in building panels. The new technology called CarbonLoc^TM has been developed by LOC Composites.

Storage of atmospheric carbon is achieved through the use of novel plant (non-food) based polymers for the production of the panels. The atmospheric carbon absorbed by these plants during their growth becomes permanently locked into the panel during the manufacturing process, hence the name CarbonLoc^TM. By recycling the panel at the end of its useful life, this carbon will not be returned to the atmosphere.

Carbon Capture and Storage reduces greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere by capturing and safely storing carbon dioxide. Endorsed by G8 leaders, the International Energy Agency, the IPCC and the Stern Review, Carbon Capture and Storage has been identified as the most suitable near-term opportunity for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels (European Commission, 2006).

Carbon Capture and Storage is generally taken to mean geological storage, that is, injecting CO2 into deep underground formations. However, the energy costs associated with capturing, compressing, injecting and storing CO2 deep underground are very significant. It is predicted that large scale implementation of this sequestration approach would increase electricity cost by 30% to 90% (IPCC 2005).

 

By using plants to capture the CO2 and convert it into plant oils and polymers, the high cost associated with industrial capture and compression of CO2 are eliminated. Furthermore, instead of storing the “unwanted” captured product deep underground, the CarbonLoc^TM technology uses the captured product to produce useful building products with significant economic value in their own right. Consequently there is no additional cost to society associated with this type of carbon storage.

CarbonLoc^TM uses by-products/waste products of annual crops (many of which currently have no or limited markets and are often burned resulting in carbon release into the atmosphere). Due to the rapid growth rate of annual crops large amounts of carbon can be captured and stored quickly. For example, if this technology were to be used for half the Australian panel market the equivalent of 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ per annum would be permanently removed from the atmosphere. Using annual crops to sequester carbon offers a way for the inclusion of cropping activities in carbon emission trading schemes not yet envisaged.

Currently the only other construction material that stores carbon is wood. However good quality hardwood is becoming increasingly limited in supply and expensive. Plantation-grown softwood is subject to warping, splitting, rot and termite attack and struggles to provide the strength and durability required for modern structures. Furthermore carbon stored in wood can have a short life cycle. In some forests carbon is released with frequent stand replacing fires. Forest that are harvested prior to stand replacing events allow for retention of carbon in manufactured timber products. However, only a portion of the carbon removed from logged forests ends up as durable goods and buildings. The remainder ends up as sawmill by-products such as pulp, paper and pallets, which often end with incineration or in landfill (resulting in carbon release into the atmosphere). CarbonLoc^TM panels are expected to last 50-100 years and can be fully recycled into new panels hence the carbon will remain locked up almost indefinitely.

 The fundamental research work for this new technology has been completed and LOC is currently trying to obtain additional research funding to finalise this research project and start commercialisation of this new technology.