Author: Ricardo Guerra
Architect in progress, I am currently studying and working, I am very inclined towards innovation within architecture and everything that entails researching topics that are just emerging towards the future of architecture.
Coffee and architecture, two worlds that find a point of convergence in the creativity and passion they share. From coffee being the essential fuel for the architect to the deep connection between this drink and the culture of Mexico, as a power in coffee production, it adds a special touch to this relationship, weaving a unique story. A literal fusion between coffee and concrete construction, is it viable?
Rajeev Roychand, a researcher at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) in Melbourne, Australia, has developed an innovative technique to strengthen cement by 30% by converting waste coffee grounds into biochar through a process called pyrolysis; That is, he has created a concrete based on Coffee, this consists of thermal decomposition that is carried out without oxygen, using high temperatures of up to 350 ºC.
Roychand has carried out an experimental project focused on the pyrolysis of coffee husk at different temperatures, mainly at 350° and 500° C, with the purpose of improving the physicochemical and mechanical properties of concrete. This initiative not only contributes to the strength of the concrete, but also gives a "second chance" to the coffee husks, preventing them from ending up in landfills.
Roychand's research team has sparked the interest of several municipalities looking to have future infrastructure projects. Their goal is to implement this technique and use coffee biochar to strengthen concrete, potentially making the concrete composition significantly stronger. This innovative research not only has the potential to improve sustainability in construction, but can also reduce dependence on resources such as sand by replacing them with coffee biochar alternatives.
“The disposal of organic waste poses a huge environmental challenge as it emits large quantities of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change,” says Roychand, from the RMIT School of Engineering. Australia alone generates 75 million kilograms of coffee grounds waste each year and most of it ends up in landfills.
In Mexico, coffee is grown in 12 states: Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Nayarit, Colima, Jalisco, Querétaro, Tabasco. The coffee harvesting season begins in the month of September and ends in the month of March. In Mexico, annual per capita coffee consumption is 1.7 kilograms per person. Around the world, 10 billion kilograms of surplus coffee are generated annually.
“Our research is in the early stages, but these exciting findings offer an innovative way to greatly reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfills.” The researchers believe that the study will be a great contribution in the fight against the climate crisis, in particular against the emission of polluting gases.
In Mexico, organic waste management has become a major environmental challenge. The growing production of organic waste, which includes food and vegetable remains, represents approximately 50% of the total solid waste generated in the country. Among these organic wastes, coffee plays a significant role, contributing around 10% of that fraction.
This high percentage of coffee waste not only highlights the importance of implementing sustainable waste management practices, such as composting; but also highlights the need to raise awareness in society about the importance of reducing food waste and promoting a more responsible approach towards the disposal of organic waste in the country.
The close connection between coffee and architecture is based on shared passion and creativity. In Mexico, a country with deep cultural ties to coffee, this relationship comes to life. Coffee becomes an essential fuel for architects, and its role in Mexican culture provides a unique nuance. Rajeev Roychand's groundbreaking research demonstrates how waste coffee grounds can strengthen concrete, offering a valuable and sustainable alternative in a world where organic waste management has become a major environmental challenge. This approach not only promises improvements in construction, but also a positive impact in the fight against the climate crisis, by reducing the emission of polluting gases.