FORMWORK: Creating Sustainable Building Materials from Upcycled Waste

What is FORMWORK?

FORMWORK creates durable, net-zero building materials made from upcycled waste. Their products support healthier spaces, reduce embodied emissions, and integrate seamlessly into existing construction workflows — without disrupting cost or compliance. At its core, FORMWORK is a climate-tech startup accelerating the transition to net zero carbon emissions in the buildings and construction sector. Their carbon removal technology delivers a new generation of carbon-neutral building products while upcycling CO₂ during production. Circular by design, these materials future-proof projects towards carbon neutrality, provide carbon savings during construction, and reduce Scope 3 emissions under Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) frameworks.

Main Benefits of FORMWORK Materials

FORMWORK materials tackle the huge carbon footprint of conventional building materials head-on. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Reduce embodied carbon by up to 70% compared to traditional materials.
• Send thousands of tonnes less waste to landfill each year.
• Designed to be code-compliant and drop-in ready — no costly retooling required.
• Use circular inputs like biochar, coffee grounds, and walnut shells for color and strength.
• Capture CO₂ during and after manufacturing, helping to slash Scope 3 emissions.
• Replace high-carbon ingredients with low-toxicity binders and upcycled waste.

Innovative Carbon-Curing Technologies

At the heart of FORMWORK’s materials is AtmosCarbon™️ — a mineral-based platform that stores CO₂, improves material health, and scales across multiple product formats without disrupting standard processes. The technology includes:

• Carbon Curing: Infuses captured CO₂ into precast materials during production.
• Bio Carbonisation: Replaces cement with upcycled organic waste like biochar and coffee grounds.
• Direct Air Mineralisation: Captures atmospheric CO₂ after installation and locks it into mineral form.

FORMWORK’s Product Range

FORMWORK offers four main product formats, all built with the AtmosCarbon™ system:

• ATMOSBRICK™: Modular bricks for walls, partitions, and modular builds, made with circular inputs and natural pigments.
• ATMOSTILE™: Flexible tiles for interiors, exteriors, and public surfaces that store carbon while replacing high-carbon materials.
• ATMOSPANEL™ (coming 2026): Large-format cladding for façades and rainscreens, precast for precision and ease of installation.
• ATMOSPAVE™: Low-impact paving for streetscapes and pedestrian zones, built from mineral waste and smart binders.

Featured Project: Nan Fung Group, Hong Kong

One standout project showcasing FORMWORK’s innovation is the 15m² facade built with AtmosBrick™ at Nan Fung’s AIRSIDE in Kai Tak, Hong Kong. The bricks were produced using FORMWORK’s bio-carbonisation process and finished in natural tones made from repurposed materials including coffee grounds. This wall achieved a 70% reduction in embodied carbon and completely removed the need for synthetic pigments. It’s a perfect example of how FORMWORK materials can transform architectural surfaces into carbon sinks — surfaces that actively purify rather than pollute.

Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure — by pioneering new building materials and technologies.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — through healthier, low-carbon construction solutions.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — by upcycling waste and reducing landfill impact.
• SDG 13: Climate Action — by significantly cutting embodied carbon and capturing atmospheric CO₂.
• SDG 15: Life on Land — by reducing pollution and promoting circular material use.

Why FORMWORK Matters

Behind every conventional slab lies a system that emits carbon at scale, resists flexibility, and stifles the potential of the built environment — long before construction even begins. FORMWORK flips this script. By designing materials for the realities of modern construction — code-compliant, drop-in ready, and built to lower emissions — they’re not just reducing harm, they’re actively healing the atmosphere. Using circular inputs and capturing carbon during and after manufacturing, FORMWORK helps reduce Scope 3 emissions without compromising performance or design intent. It’s a bold step towards a future where building materials don’t just build structures, but build a healthier planet too.