In the heart of Melbourne’s innovation scene, climate tech startup Kapture is making serious waves in the construction world. With concrete production being one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, Kapture has developed a groundbreaking way to not just reduce emissions—but to trap them. Their carbon-sequestering technology embeds captured CO2 directly into concrete, delivering both environmental and performance benefits without increasing production costs. The startup’s innovation could reshape the future of construction, one carbon-capturing slab at a time.
Capturing Carbon, Strengthening Concrete
Founded in 2022 by Raj Bagri, Kapture began with the mission to decarbonise diesel generators using low-cost membrane technology that captures CO2 before it enters the atmosphere. This led to the development of a carbon-embedded byproduct, which can be used in concrete manufacturing to permanently store emissions. Each ton of Kapture’s solvent—used to capture CO2 from combustion sources like diesel generators—offsets 0.7 to 1.2 tons of CO2 that would otherwise be released during cement production. And here’s the kicker: the process does not come with a “green premium.” It’s cost-neutral for manufacturers.
Kapture has already partnered with Western Australian concrete manufacturer PERMAcast to put this innovation to the test. Real-world trials focused on assessing the strength, durability, and performance of concrete made with Kapture’s carbon-embedded material. The results? Highly promising. The byproduct replaced a percentage of the concrete mix, reducing environmental impact while actually enhancing material performance. As CEO Raj Bagri explains, “Our successful trials sequestering CO2 in concrete are a pivotal step forward in transforming one of the most carbon-intensive industries.”
Real-World Testing for Real-World Impact
PERMAcast, a leading Western Australian manufacturer of precast concrete products, played a key role in testing Kapture’s technology. The company collaborated in trials to determine whether the carbon-sequestering byproduct could hold up to the rigorous standards of the construction industry. These weren’t just lab simulations—PERMAcast helped validate Kapture’s innovation under real-world conditions, ensuring that it meets the structural and performance requirements essential for widespread adoption.
Through these trials, PERMAcast and Kapture demonstrated that sustainable practices and high-performance materials don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The successful integration of Kapture’s byproduct into existing production lines opens the door to large-scale implementation across the concrete industry. With commercial availability expected in 2025, this partnership showcases how startups and established manufacturers can work together to tackle climate change from the ground up—quite literally.
Looking Ahead
With its Startmate 2023 cohort experience under its belt and a promising utility trial lined up for early 2025, Kapture is positioned to make a major impact across multiple industries. Bagri hinted that more exciting announcements are on the way, including collaborations with energy providers. As the world looks for scalable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, Kapture’s concrete solution could lay the foundation for a more sustainable future—one block at a time.
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