A new house in the beautiful island nation of the Bahamas aims to combat climate change by using an alternative concrete that sucks carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air. This groundbreaking project is led by NBA Lakers legend-turned-actor Rick Fox, who is the CEO and co-founder of Partanna, a sustainable building materials startup. The ultimate goal is to build 999 more homes like this one and make the alternative concrete a widely used building material that can significantly reduce pollution from construction.
Concrete, specifically its key ingredient cement, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Cement alone is responsible for more than 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. Fox’s personal journey into the world of concrete began when Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas in 2019, devastating homes and displacing thousands of people. Motivated by the need for innovative solutions, he met architect Sam Marshall, who had already made progress in developing carbon-intensive cement-free concrete after his home was damaged in the 2018 Woolsey fire in California. Together, they founded Partanna.
While the exact details of the process are undisclosed, Partanna’s alternative concrete relies on brine from desalination plants and a byproduct of steel production known as slag. By eliminating cement as an ingredient, the company avoids the carbon dioxide emissions associated with traditional concrete production. Additionally, the mixture can cure at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for excessive energy usage. The binder ingredients in the mixture have the ability to absorb CO2 from the air and trap it in the material. Even if the structure is demolished, the material still retains the CO2 and can be reused to create more of the alternative concrete.
This unique feature allows Partanna to claim that its material and the newly constructed home are “carbon negative.” The 1,250-square-foot structure is estimated to have captured as much CO2 as 5,200 mature trees annually. While carbon counting with trees can be problematic, Partanna asserts that quantifying the CO2 it captures is more straightforward compared to forest offsets. The company is certified by Verra, one of the leading carbon credit certifiers, which gives credibility to its claims. Fox emphasizes that the slag and brine used by Partanna are waste materials from steel and desalination facilities and should not be counted in the company’s carbon footprint. However, some experts suggest conducting a comprehensive analysis to assess the overall climate impact and scalability of Partanna’s strategy.
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Partanna is not the only organization striving to create more sustainable building materials. Microsoft recently announced its testing of low-carbon concrete for its data centers, and other startups are working on trapping CO2 in concrete. Partanna believes it has an advantage due to its use of brine, which makes the material even stronger when exposed to seawater. This trait is particularly valuable for a country like the Bahamas, comprised of low-lying islands vulnerable to severe storms and rising sea levels.
The Bahamian government, recognizing the potential of Partanna’s project, has partnered with the company to build 1,000 homes. Construction will begin with a community of 29 houses, with the aim of completing them by next year. While the first prototype home in Nassau is currently unoccupied, the subsequent homes are expected to be part of a program to assist first-time homeowners.
Rick Fox and Partanna are not just passively witnessing the devastating effects of climate change; they are at the forefront of finding solutions. By introducing an alternative concrete that actively reduces CO2 emissions, they are setting an example for sustainable construction practices. With the support of the Bahamian government and the potential for widespread adoption, Partanna’s initiative has the power to revolutionize the construction industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.
