Biomason grows coral-inspired biocement tiles at room temperature

Biomason, a company started in 2012 by architect Ginger Krieg Dosier, is based in North Carolina and has developed a product called Mimmik. These biocement tiles are made in molds at room temperature through a process that involves bacteria, mimicking how coral forms. This method produces calcium carbonate, which is the same as what you find in limestone or marble, and it eliminates the need for energy-intensive kilns. Regular cement production contributes 8% to global CO2 emissions, but Mimmik reduces this by at least 60%. The tiles are made of 85% recycled granite and 15% biologically sourced limestone, taking 40 hours to cure. They come in four styles through FRONT Materials and are used in notable projects like a net-zero office in London and the Helix Lab in Denmark. This technology is now in its third generation.