Carrots could be key to making greener buildings

A group of researchers at Britain’s Lancaster University has been using a household food blender to mix particles from the root vegetable with concrete to see if they can produce a stronger and more environmentally sound product.

“We found out you could increase the strength of concrete by 80% by using a small amount of this new material,” said lead researcher Mohamed Saafi.

The addition of carrots prevent any cracks in the concrete, the team said. It also means less cement is required, therefore lowering the global carbon dioxide output.

Cement is responsible for 7% of total global CO2 emissions, according to International Energy Agency estimates.

“Our preliminary results show that adding about half a kilogram of carrot nanomaterial will reduce about 10 kg of cement per one cubic metre of concrete,” Mr. Saafi said. The scientists are also experimenting with sugar beet fibres.