AlterBiota
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New bio-based concrete admixture is scaling up production
A new biomass-based liquid admixture for concrete uniquely combines the benefits of traditional performance-enhancing additives with decarbonization. Hydrous bio-graphene oxide (hBGO), developed by AlterBiota, is a stable, high-solids dispersion that helps to improve strength and durability, reducing the amount of carbon-intensive and expensive Portland cement used, while also drastically reducing the carbon footprint via the use of carbon-negative feedstock. Unlike other lower-carbon concrete technologies like carbonation or supplemental cementitious materials, hBGO requires no modification to admixture dosing systems or batching practices. And other performance-enhancing additives, such as superplasiticizers, are significantly more carbon-intensive than hBGO, as they are derived from fossil-fuel feedstocks.
AlterBiota closes $4-million seed round in mission to decarbonize concrete
Sydney, Nova Scotia-based cleantech startup AlterBiota has secured $4 million CAD in seed financing to develop, test, and commercialize its sustainable concrete additive. The round, which closed in late February, was led by Invest Nova Scotia, with support from BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund. Each firm put $1.5 million into AlterBiota, and other undisclosed investors provided the remaining $1 million. Invest Nova Scotia previously participated in AlterBiota’s pre-seed round.
AlterBiota plans to invest this capital into industrial product trials, a commercial-scale plant, and hiring as the company gears up to refine and commercialize its biographene admixtures, which aim to help reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.