Hakkers, a leading Dutch construction and engineering firm, and Paebbl, the company turning captured CO2 into permanent carbon-storing materials, just released their first project at the Port of Rotterdam that significantly reduces the environmental impact of maritime anchoring. By substituting part of the traditional cement content in the anchoring mix with Paebbl’s product, the two companies are setting a new standard for climate friendly infrastructure.
Quay walls are retaining structures along ports, rivers, or canals providing stability for vessels to berth safely. Anchors, drilled deep beneath the wall, secure and reinforce these critical structures. Although largely hidden from view, anchoring is vital to preventing movement or collapse under heavy loads and tidal forces. Image Credit: Paebbl
Hakkers uses approximately 5,000 tonnes of cement each year for anchoring in various civil engineering projects, representing about one-fifth of the Dutch anchoring market. In this quay wall application, 15% of the traditional cement has been replaced with Paebbl’s carbon-storing material, resulting in fewer emissions than standard mixes. At this replacement level, a total of 110 kg of CO per ton of materials, is sequestered (full number here: 500 kgs)
In addition, fully electric drilling equipment was employed on-site, eliminating direct exhaust emissions and minimizing air pollution during the construction process (see: Hakkers Commits to Clean, Emission-Free Construction) .
“We’re always on the lookout for innovative ways to minimize our carbon footprint at industrial scale. Traditional anchoring systems rely heavily on cement, which generates considerable CO2 emissions. Partnering with Paebbl on these maritime infrastructures allows us to explore a more sustainable approach without compromising on the scale, reliability and performance that our clients expect,” adds Jeroen Kuup, Commercial Manager at Hakkers Foundations.
According to industry research, cement accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent need for innovations in the construction industry responsible for a large part of the CO2 emissions. Paebbl's innovative material offers dual benefits in the fight against climate change. The first, is permanent CO2 storage, with the capacity to permanently sequester up to 300 kg of CO2 for every 1,000 kg produced. The second, is a significant reduction in embodied carbon, with their materials serving as a partial cement replacement beyond its storage capabilities and slashing embodied carbon in construction by up to 30%.
By accelerating natural mineralization processes by a factor of a million, Paebbl locks CO2 into stable mineral form instead of emitting it. This approach allows construction projects to embed carbon within building materials, transforming the built environment from a large emitter into a potential carbon sink. These innovative materials represent a crucial advancement in the journey towards net-zero buildings and a more sustainable future for the construction industry.
“Carbon sink building solutions can be scaled up to industrial applications and we are delighted to see our product deployed in the field. Working with leading engineering firms such as Hakkers, and building Port of Rotterdam’s critical infrastructure, shows that carbon sink building solutions can be scaled up to industrial applications. We’re very excited for our shared future with Hakkers, expanding our collaboration and identifying additional use cases.” says Ana Luisa Vaz, VP Products at Paebbl.