What is the ProZERO™ Project?
ProZERO™ is the first carbon negative supplemental blend designed to decarbonize the built world without disrupting the cement production process that literally makes the world go round. It’s a game-changer in sustainable construction, offering a bio-building material that replaces traditional cement one-to-one, but with a twist—it actually reduces carbon emissions instead of adding to them. By harnessing nature’s own methods, this innovative blend uses microalgae to mimic how seashells and coral reefs form, creating a cement alternative that avoids the carbon-heavy processes typical of traditional cement production. The result? Concrete that’s not just low carbon, but carbon negative.
Main Benefit: Carbon Negative Concrete
ProZERO™ doesn’t just reduce carbon—it flips the script entirely. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Replaces cement in a 1:1 ratio with properties comparable to traditional cement
- Improves finishability in ready mix applications—meaning smoother, better surfaces
- Complies with industry standards like ASTM C90, C129, C1157, ACI 299R, and LCA Stage A1-A3
- Offers ready mix and flowable fill solutions ranging from low carbon to fully carbon negative
- Spans a wide array of applications including construction blocks, pavers, and wall systems
- Uses microalgae, sunlight, water, and sand to produce a bio-cement alternative that eliminates CO2 emissions
How Does ProZERO™ Achieve Carbon Negative Status?
The secret sauce is microalgae. By mimicking natural processes—think coral reefs and seashells—ProZERO™ avoids the carbon-intensive steps of traditional cement production. Instead of pumping out CO2, it actually sequesters carbon. The more cement replaced with ProZERO™, the more carbon is reduced. It’s flexible too: whether a project wants to be fully carbon negative or just lower its carbon footprint, ProZERO™ can be tailored accordingly. This approach is a breath of fresh air for the construction industry, which has long struggled with its environmental impact.
Recent Projects Showcasing ProZERO™
Several projects have already put ProZERO™ to the test, proving its real-world performance and sustainability benefits:
- Limelight, Boulder, Colorado: A hotel and conference center project where 40% of the cementitious content was replaced with ProZERO™. The concrete mix was carbon negative, batched via a ready-mix plant, and reported superior finishability. It held up well against harsh weather and heavy equipment traffic.
- Low Carbon Block Spiral, Chicago: An interactive exhibit built with low carbon concrete masonry units (CMUs). The blocks saved over a metric ton of carbon compared to conventional concrete blocks, showcasing sustainable building materials in action.
- Interior Pour Finishability: At a construction firm’s home office, a 3500 PSI interior concrete polished floor was poured with 40% ProZERO™ replacement, achieving carbon negative results and outstanding finishability.
- Pavers at Outdoor Mall: Pedestrian walkways made with sustainable pavers featuring a light vehicle rating, integral color, and a whopping 95% carbon reduction—all while performing well in all weather conditions.
Performance and Standards
ProZERO™ doesn’t just talk the talk—it walks the walk. The blend complies with rigorous industry standards such as ASTM C90, C129, C1157, and ACI 299R, ensuring it meets or exceeds expectations for strength, durability, and finishability. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) stages A1-A3 confirm its environmental credentials, making it a trustworthy choice for projects aiming for sustainability without compromise. Plus, data sheets for ready mix, flowable fill, and block applications provide detailed performance insights for engineers and builders.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Promotes sustainable industrialization through innovative bio-cement technology.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supports the creation of resilient, low-carbon urban infrastructure.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encourages sustainable material use and reduces waste.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Directly reduces carbon emissions in the construction sector.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – By reducing CO2 emissions, helps mitigate climate change impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Carbon Negative Construction
ProZERO™ is more than just a product—it’s a movement toward a carbon-negative future in construction. By leveraging biological processes and sustainable materials, it offers a practical path to decarbonize one of the most carbon-intensive industries on the planet. As more projects adopt this technology, the built environment can evolve into a major part of the climate solution. It’s exciting to see how microalgae, sunlight, water, and sand come together to create something that’s not only better for the planet but also meets the high standards of modern construction. The future? It’s looking green, strong, and carbon negative.
