An enzyme accelerates CO₂ mineralization in construction materials

In laboratory tests, carbonic anhydrase increased CO₂ uptake in hydrated lime, Portland cement, fly ash and slag, helping stable carbonates form more quickly.

What the enzyme does

Carbonic anhydrase accelerates CO₂ hydration. In alkaline materials containing calcium or magnesium, this makes carbonate species available more quickly, supporting precipitation as solid mineral carbonates.

The results

Across the four materials tested, the enzyme increased total CO₂ uptake by 71–89%. The researchers also measured mass retained after CO₂ flow was stopped, allowing them to distinguish temporary absorption from more permanent mineral fixation.

In four reuse cycles, the enzyme retained 87.9% of its initial performance. The key point is that the enzyme does not change the thermodynamic endpoint; it accelerates the route by which the system reaches it.

Why it matters

Lime, cement and industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag already exist at enormous scale. A method that increases the speed at which they mineralize CO₂ could become useful if it can fit real processes without adding costs or impacts larger than the benefit.