Microsoft are introducing lower-carbon concrete mixes into their builds, with the help of fly ash and slag.

Helping Microsoft’s journey to be carbon negative by 2030, is a concrete mix that lowers the overall embodied carbon used throughout the process.

The embodied carbon of concrete is currently responsible for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to industry and government calculations.

The embodied carbon in steel, another material used in heavy construction, accounts for an estimated 7% of carbon emissions.

Sean James, Microsoft’s Senior Director of datacentre research, stated that “overcoming challenges with alternative, lower-embodied carbon materials, will help Microsoft make progress towards its commitment to be carbon negative by 2030.”

The concrete mixes piloted in Microsoft’s new ‘Green Building’, include one with biogenic limestone, one with fly ash and slag that are activated with alkaline soda ash, and one with both the alkali activated cement and biogenic limestone.

The project goal is to test mix designs that can lower embodied carbon in concrete by more than 50% compared to traditional concrete mixes, according to Microsoft.

To find out more on the topic, visit Microsoft's website.