Algae / rapidly renewable
Algae provide much of Earth's oxygen, serve as the food base for aquatic life, and are key materials for diverse industrial and consumer products. The algae family includes seaweed and kelp, the largest seaweed subgroup, and all algae form an important carbon sink.
Checkerspot bio-manufactures algae-based performance materials for sporting and clothing consumer brands.
National Institutes of Health reviews the uses of microalgae to produce polymers and various bioplastics.
Otrivin Air Lab engages its visitors in the development of biodegradable polymers made with the by-product of the air purification process powered by living photosynthetic microalgae.
Prometheus combines microalgae with other natural components to form a zero-carbon bio-cement for construction.
3D Printlife ALGA 3D printer filament is an optimized PLA combined with nuisance algae that have been removed from the environment, creating a markedly sustainable material by helping to keep the ecology in balance through remediation.
EcoLogic Studio's latest project titled Photo.Synth.Etica, is a bioplastic architectural textile infused with a circulatory network of living algae.
Agroprene sustainable seaweed foam sets a new standard in planet friendly materials made primarily from 100% biodegradable Norwegian Kelp, without harmful or petroleum-based chemicals.
OCEAN INK® is the world’s first sustainable and fully biodegradable water-based ink derived from sustainably sourced seaweed with versatile applications for luxury textiles, printing, and packaging.
Aluminum / low embodied carbon
Aluminum is the third most abundant element and the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust, primarily derived from bauxite ore. Making aluminum is an energy-intensive process however, it can be cast, melted, formed, machined, extruded, and 3D printed to create a wide variety of products that will not readily corrode and can be easily recycled.
Alcoa offers Sustana™ products to lower the carbon footprint of diverse supply chains.
ALUSION™ Architectural Stabilized Aluminum Foam is 100% recycled material and recyclable.
Hydro provides a range of products for casting, extruding, and forming made with recycled, post-consumer scrap, low-carbon aluminum, using renewable energy sources.
Nordural offers Natur-Al™ low carbon aluminum products made with 100% renewable energy sources.
One Click LCA is an independent firm of construction carbon specialists operating globally out of Finland. This white paper explores how low-carbon aluminum can help reduce embodied carbon in the built environment.