The Road to Carbon-Neutral: How Carbon Crusher Is Paving the Way
As we grapple with the effects of climate change, it’s clear that we need to find innovative solutions that can help us reduce our carbon footprint while also addressing the needs of our communities. One promising solution is the development of carbon-negative roads, which can help us reduce our carbon emissions while also providing durable and cost-effective road surfaces.
Enter Carbon Crusher, a Norwegian startup – and Shared Future portfolio company – that is leading the charge in developing carbon-negative roads using its unique Crushing As A Service (CRAAS) process. The company’s approach is simple yet effective: by crushing roads in need of maintenance and reusing the old materials, they can replace heavy oil with carbon-binding bio polymers - organic compounds derived from the forestry industry. This creates a net carbon-negative method that removes approximately 1.5 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere for every 100 feet of road, with today’s method. Carbon Crusher is researching methods that will increase this number to 6 tonnes per 100 feet road.
What’s particularly impressive about Carbon Crusher’s approach is that it is both cheaper and more durable than traditional road-building methods. By using recycled materials and carbon-binding polymers, the company is able to create a road surface that is more resilient to wear and tear than traditional asphalt. This means that the roads built using Carbon Crusher’s process will require less maintenance over time, which translates into cost savings for road owners and taxpayers.
Now, Carbon Crusher is scaling the service with what they call CRAAS: “Crushing As A Service” globally. “We invite legacy road construction companies to use our proprietary crusher, our bio binders, and know-how to offer carbon-negative roads in all markets. And don’t be surprised to see the first partner-led CRAAS, Carbon Negative road in the US within a few months,” says Haakon Brunell.
Of course, the benefits of carbon-negative roads go far beyond cost savings. By reducing our carbon emissions and sequestering CO2 in the road surface, we can make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. As more and more companies embrace carbon-negative building materials and sustainable construction practices, we can start to build a more sustainable and resilient future.
Led by Co-Founder and CEO Haakon Brunell, a serial impact-tech entrepreneur and investor, the team at Carbon Crusher brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Brunell is a firm believer in using tech and human resources for universal good, and has co-founded and invested in a number of impact-tech companies throughout his career.
Detailed in FastCompany and Sustainability Mag, Carbon Crusher’s approach is a powerful example of how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. By developing carbon-negative roads using its unique CRAAS process, the company is leading the way in creating a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change, it’s clear that we need more companies like Carbon Crusher to help us build a brighter and more sustainable future for us all.
Image credit: Carbon Crusher