Dubai – Qahwa World
Researchers at RMIT University are developing new ways to reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials by converting spent coffee grounds into biochar for use in concrete. A life-cycle analysis conducted by RMIT University has shown, for the first time, that biochar made from used coffee grounds can help produce a lower-carbon concrete while maintaining the strength gains observed in earlier laboratory trials.
Previous experiments by the RMIT team involved heating spent coffee grounds at about 350°C without oxygen to create a fine biochar. When this material replaced 15% of sand in concrete, the 28-day strength increased by roughly 30%, offering a practical way to ease pressure on natural sand resources.
Building on these findings, a new study led by Dr. Jingxuan Zhang and Dr. Mohammad Saberian presents a full cradle-to-grave assessment measuring carbon emissions, resource consumption, and environmental impacts from production through to end-of-life. The analysis recorded CO₂ reductions of 15%, 23%, and 26% when biochar replaced 5%, 10%, and 15% of sand, along with up to 31% lower fossil-fuel use and improved impacts on waterways.
RMIT University notes that the research supports Australia’s shift toward a circular economy and net-zero ambitions by turning abundant organic waste into functional materials, reducing reliance on natural sand, and encouraging greater public engagement with resource recovery.
Zhang said the findings strengthen the case for real-world applications. Professor Chun-Qing Li, who guided the research team, said the innovation demonstrates how organic waste can become a practical ingredient for lower-carbon infrastructure.
Saberian said the next steps include larger pilot projects, mix optimisation, and alignment with construction standards so the approach can be adopted confidently across future projects. RMIT and its partners have already advanced public demonstrations, including a footpath pilot and the first use of coffee-biochar concrete on the Victorian Big Build, and presented the concept through the National Gallery of Victoria’s Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday exhibition.
The study, “Carbon footprint reduction in concrete using spent coffee grounds biochar: a life cycle perspective,” is published in the International Journal of Construction Management (DOI: 10.1080/15623599.2025.2584549). Authors include Jingxuan Zhang, Mohammad Saberian, Rajeev Roychand, Jie Li, Chun-Qing Li, Guomin Zhang, and Dilan Robert.
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