Designs by Natural Processes (DNP) is creating cement that can absorb CO2, enabling the construction world to tackle climate change. Not only can this game changing cement battle climate change, but also tackle the issue of waste. President Carolyn Dry has created DNP around six founding principles; Nature makes materials that are self-forming, self repairing, self sensing, self recycling, use nearby wastes or material, and improve the environment for others. 

Concrete is everywhere. It’s the foundation to any infrastructure. The world consumed about 4.1 billion metric tons of cement in 2020. The problem with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is that it produces tons of CO2, one ton for each ton of cement. Another major problem in the world, especially the U.S. is waste. Over 270 million tons of municipal solid waste is produced in the US. DNP’s idea is to use the MSW ash from facilities that burn waste to create a cement that produces less CO2 . The idea is also that the ash cement will absorb CO2  and fill any gaps created in the cement.  The novelty is a self repairing cement that uses waste material ash, overall improving the environment.  

For all the cement already out there, DNP has a solution. DNP is also pioneering a CO2 absorbing coating for cement. The CO2 will then fix any damage done to the cement. Another idea that creates self-repairing cement all the while eliminating some CO2 in the atmosphere.  

DNP’s core principles and technology represent years of architectural experience from president Carolyn Dry Ph.D., who first saw potential for self-repairing material in little pill additives that would break when material was damaged and fill any cracks. This grew into self- repairing composites for airplane wings and protective walls. Over the years DNP has worked on a number of projects, from self-repairing tires for Trek to asphalt that incorporates plastic waste.