Biomason

Biomason makes biocement, a binder for concrete that is grown rather than burned. Instead of heating limestone and discarding the carbon, the company breeds microorganisms that combine common natural materials into calcium carbonate, the mineral that gives coral its strength, in the pore spaces between aggregate particles.

Cement production is responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions; Biomason’s enzymatic process runs at ambient temperature, so carbon is bound into the material instead of released, and its concrete products contain no Portland cement. Founded in 2012 and based at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the company has worked with DARPA and the US Air Force on military infrastructure applications, launched the Biolith tile and, in 2023, commissioned the Biobeton factory in Ikast, Denmark with precast producer IBF.