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Latte-street innovation: coffee-infused concrete breaks new ground | RMIT University
Australia generates around 75,000 tonnes of ground coffee waste annually, contributing to 6.87 million tonnes of organic waste in landfills, which account for 3 per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.
To tackle the problem, the team developed an innovative, low-energy thermochemical process that transforms spent coffee grounds into biochar which is then used as an additive to enhance concrete strength by 30 per cent.
This groundbreaking research tackles waste management challenges and supports Australia's NetZero 2050 goal by reducing the cement industry's 7-8 per cent share of global CO₂ emissions and lowering national landfill-related emissions.
The coffee concrete is already in use, featured in Victoria's Big Build projects and showcased at Germany's prestigious Futurium museum as an innovative material for a sustainable future. With venture capital-backed commercialisation underway, this innovation is making a significant impact on the circular economy and construction industry.
Finalists - Dr Rajeev Roychand, Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, Jie Li, Mohammad Saberian
"As an Indigenous-owned business, Talwali Coffee Roasters is deeply committed to sustainable practices that honour our connection to the land. We were thrilled to collaborate and contribute to this groundbreaking research project with RMIT University, transforming our coffee waste into a valuable resource for construction. This innovative research has created a potential for diverting organic waste from landfills to high-value construction applications, contributing to environmental sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and paving the way for a more circular economy in Australia's construction industry."
Drew Paten
Director of Partnerships, Talwali Coffee Roasters
"The success of this world-first trial has not only validated our biochar production processes but has also opened exciting new markets for our company. We are now poised to play a pivotal role in revolutionising the construction industry, contributing to a more sustainable future while driving our business growth.
The project demonstrates potential to replace sand, an increasingly scarce resource, in concrete production represents not only a substantial opportunity for our business, but also a crucial solution to the global sand shortage crisis facing the construction industry. It is not just about business growth, but also, about making a tangible impact on waste reduction and resource conservation.
Andrew Wells
Director, Biochar and Carbon Drawdown
"This world-first trial has demonstrated the potential to transform organic waste into a valuable resource for the construction industry and has attracted domestic and international attention. Council welcomes the environmental benefits this technology offers, including reducing waste sent to landfill, reducing sand content (minimising demand for sand mining) and potentially decreasing the cement content required in concrete production."
Bernie O'Sullivan
CEO, Macedon Ranges Shire Council
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