Terrabite Materials
Terrabite converts food waste into biochar through oxygen-limited pyrolysis and integrates it into standard concrete mixes as a partial cement replacement, locking carbon in a stable form for 100+ years. The resulting concrete maintains structural integrity, achieving target compressive strengths of 4,000 psi (ASTM C39), and requires no workflow changes for contractors. Each pound of biochar-enhanced concrete sequesters approximately 0.327 pounds of CO₂, with pilot projects already placing 31,000 lbs of concrete and diverting 12,110 lbs of food waste from landfills.
- Clean Technology
- New Materials
- Construction Technology
- Chemical Technology
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Traditional concrete production is a major source of carbon emissions, with cement manufacturing alone contributing significantly to global CO₂ output. Meanwhile, food waste sent to landfills decomposes and releases methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO₂, creating a dual environmental challenge that existing construction materials and waste management practices fail to address together.
Solution
Terrabite converts food waste into biochar through oxygen-limited pyrolysis at 400–600°C, producing a stable, carbon-rich material with ~75% carbon content. This biochar is then integrated into standard concrete mixes as a partial cement replacement of up to 33% by mass, locking carbon in a form that remains stable for 100+ years. The resulting concrete maintains structural integrity, achieving target compressive strengths of 4,000 psi (ASTM C39), while requiring no workflow changes for contractors—it can be poured and cured exactly like conventional concrete. Each pound of biochar-enhanced concrete sequesters approximately 0.327 pounds of CO₂, verified through measured biochar carbon content and concrete volumes. Terrabite also provides a transparent methodology and interactive carbon calculator so project stakeholders can quantify their environmental impact. The company is pursuing third-party verification through established carbon registries to convert these reductions into tradable carbon credits, creating a dual value stream of lower-emission construction plus potential offset revenue.
Target Audience
Primary customers are construction companies, concrete producers, and project developers seeking low-carbon building materials, as well as waste management operators and food processing facilities looking to divert organic waste from landfills.
Features
- Biochar production via oxygen-limited pyrolysis at 400–600°C, achieving 70–80% carbon content verified through lab analysis (ASTM D5373)
- Cement replacement ratios from 5% (4,500 psi structural) to 20% (3,500 psi non-structural), with up to 33% replacement capability
- ASTM-compliant testing protocols including C39 for compressive strength, C231 for air content, and C94/ACI 318 mix class alignment
- Expected ~15% thermal insulation improvement versus control mixes (literature-based, testing in progress)
- Four-step MRV (measurement, reporting, verification) process aligned with Verra, Gold Standard, or equivalent registries
- Interactive carbon calculator tool that projects CO₂ sequestration and food waste diversion based on concrete volume inputs
- Pilot-proven performance: 31,000 lbs concrete placed, 10,138 lbs CO₂ sequestered, and 12,110 lbs food waste diverted from landfills