Engineers have devised a means of transforming biomass ash byproduct into high-quality concrete, which reduces carbon emissions by over 50%. In 2022, the cement sector accounted for almost 5% of Ireland’s national emissions, underlining the tangible impact this new technique could have in reducing that burden.
In a groundbreaking leap towards sustainability, researchers at Trinity College Dublin have transformed industrial byproduct into high-quality, low-carbon concrete, creating a powerful blueprint for Ireland’s green construction future.
Led by Prof. Sara Pavia and Dr Zehao Lei from Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering, the team has developed innovative methods of using biomass ash — a newly emerging solid byproduct produced by BnM’s Edenderry Power Station.
The Edenderry Power Station, Ireland’s largest renewable dispatchable energy facility, transitioned to 100% biomass energy generation in late 2024. The power plant uses sustainable forestry and agricultural residues to supply clean energy to over 150,000 homes. Widely praised for its pioneering role in Ireland’s renewable energy sector, the Edenderry Power Station represents a crucial step towards achieving national carbon neutrality.
“Biomass is inherently carbon-neutral,” explains Prof. Pavia. “However, the disposal of the resulting ash byproduct represents a considerable challenge. Our approach not only solves this issue but turns the ash into a valuable resource.”
Due to its substantial volumes, the ash presents considerable handling and disposal difficulties, requiring the development of an engineered repository which can be both costly and environmentally unsustainable.
Partnering with local industry leader FLI Precast Solutions, a specialist in precast concrete products, the research group explored two pioneering techniques. The first replaces a significant portion of Portland cement—a notoriously high-carbon material—with biomass ash, drastically reducing the concrete’s carbon footprint.
The second, more ambitious technique eliminates Portland cement through an advanced geo-polymerisation process, which uses a blend of metallurgical slag and biomass ash.
This method has successfully achieved a remarkable 51% reduction in carbon emissions without compromising concrete performance.
Ireland produces around 5 million tons of cement per year. In 2022, the cement sector accounted for 2.88 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent, or 4.8% of Ireland’s total national emissions – underlining the tangible impact this scalable new technique could make in reducing our carbon emissions.
Luke O’Connor, Chief Engineer of FLI Precast working in the project, praised the partnership stating, “Our commitment to pioneering sustainable practices underscores our dedication to shaping a future where business and nature thrive in harmony. Trinity’s innovative research aligns perfectly with our corporate vision, and we are proud to support scientific advancements that drive sustainable industry solutions.”
The implications of this development go beyond environmental benefits. The project actively supports Ireland’s ambitious carbon-neutrality goals and exemplifies the potential of a circular economy, effectively converting problematic byproduct into sustainable construction materials.
Dr Lei added: “This innovation provides a practical, scalable solution to management of ash byproduct, significantly easing the environmental pressures faced by industries and communities alike.”
This pilot project was funded by Enterprise Ireland’s Construct Innovate and it is close to completion. As the pilot phase has proven successful, both Trinity College and FLI Precast are partnering with other industries to search for means to further this research and broaden the adoption of this technology across Ireland, setting a new standard for sustainable construction.
“Our aim is to rally and assist change in the construction sector,” says Prof. Pavia. “We’re creating stronger, greener concrete to build the foundations for a sustainable future.”
