Inspired by the earthen houses in his home country of Togo, Zurich-based materials scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Gnanli Landrou developed a cement-free building material that hardens in 24 to 48 hours.

The product, called Cleancrete, is made with water, clay-based excavation materials that are traditionally wasted, and a non-toxic mineral-based additive that gives the mixture concrete-like properties.

One-sixth as strong and 20 times more eco-friendly than traditional concrete, Cleancrete can be used for non-structural building elements like floors, interior walls, decorative facades, and outdoor furniture and structures. Landrou is also partnering with Burkwil Architects to build a Cleancrete-based apartment complex in Zurich.

This video from the BBC World Service’s People Fixing the World series goes behind the scenes with Gnanli Landrou and his mission to create more sustainable and affordable housing options around the globe.

Concrete is the second most consumed material on Earth after water, and according to Princeton University, the cement industry is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. Via Nature.com:

“Concrete is made by adding sand and gravel to cement, whisking the mixture with water and pouring it into moulds before it dries. Making the cement is the most carbon-intensive part: it involves using fossil fuels to heat a mixture of limestone and clay to more than 1,400 °C in a kiln. Also, when limestone (calcium carbonate) is heated with clays, roughly 600 kilograms of carbon dioxide is released for every tonne of cement produced.”

Landrou’s company, co-founded with Dr. Thibault Demoulin, is named ‘Oxara’, which means ‘gathering and community’ in Lamb-Kabyè, a national language of Togo.

How does Gnanli Landrou transform mud into eco-friendly concrete?

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