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Decarbonizing the global concrete and construction sector—responsible for roughly 8% of worldwide CO2 emissions—requires innovative pathways that transform demolition waste into permanent carbon sinks. Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich and headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, Neustark AG is a pioneering climate-tech leader commercializing carbon mineralization in recycled concrete aggregates.
At the core of Neustark’s technology is the injection of captured biogenic CO2 into crushed concrete demolition waste. The CO2 reacts with the calcium hydroxide within the porous concrete to form highly stable calcium carbonate (CaCO3), permanently binding the gas for over 100,000 years. This mineralization process reportedly not only locks away carbon permanently but also enhances the structural performance of the recycled aggregate for new construction. Unlike energy-intensive carbon storage methods, Neustark integrates directly into existing local recycling workflows, eliminating the need for long-distance transport infrastructure. Each tonne of permanently bound CO2 is independently verified and monetized as high-durability carbon removal credits.
Moving beyond speculative capital, Neustark has raised roughly $50 million in funding from patient investors including Temasek, World Fund, MINT Ventures, and Vattenfall. Partnering with building materials leader Holcim and local recycling firms, the company operates over 19 commercial plants across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and France. With long-term carbon removal purchase agreements from Microsoft and UBS, Neustark aims to remove one million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030.
The primary challenge for Neustark lies in scaling its modular mineralization units internationally while navigating regional construction material standards in North America and Asia. Seamlessly embedding carbon removal into global demolition waste streams remains key to achieving gigaton-scale impact.
We look forward to Neustark's continued challenges and successes. (AS)
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Neustark stores CO₂ permanently in demolished concrete
NEUSTARK: 1 MILLION TONS OF CO2 REMOVED BY 2030 - Holcim Maqer Ventures
Swiss startup opens plant that permanently stores CO2 in waste concrete