Coffee concrete shortlisted for national research impact award

Coffee concrete shortlisted for national research impact award

Universities Australia has shortlisted RMIT University’s coffee concrete innovators for the Shaping Australia Awards in the Problem Solver category.

Professor Jie Li, Dr Rajeev Roychand, Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch and Dr Mohammad Saberian’s innovation strengthens concrete by 30% using biochar made from spent coffee grounds, to give the drink-additive a “double shot” at life and reduce waste going to landfill.

This invention tackles major sustainability challenges. Australia generates around 75,000 tonnes of ground coffee waste annually, contributing to 6.87 million tonnes of organic waste in landfills, which account for 3 per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. 

The People's Choice voting is open to all Australians, and the team is calling on RMIT staff, students and the broader community to cast their vote to help bring their invention to the world stage. Their project is titled ‘Latte-street innovation: coffee-infused concrete’ – show your support by clicking the heart icon next to their entry.

RMIT University researchers Dr Rajeev Roychand, Dr Mohammad Saberian and Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch with Jordan Carter, Co-founder of the Indigenous-owned Talwali Coffee Roasters (pictured left to right). Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT University RMIT University researchers Dr Rajeev Roychand, Dr Mohammad Saberian and Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch with Jordan Carter, Co-founder of the Indigenous-owned Talwali Coffee Roasters (pictured left to right). Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT University

A finalist for the Problem Solver category will be selected based on the highest vote tally. Voting will close on Sunday 26 January 2025. Two winners for the Problem Solver category will be awarded – one selected through the People’s Choice voting system, and one chosen by a panel of eminent Australians.  

The team’s breakthrough, which addresses waste management challenges and conserves river sand, has made headlines around the world, with organisations including the World Economic Forum, Washington Post, CNN and Reuters.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor Professor Alec Cameron endorsed the team’s nomination for the 2024 Shaping Australia Awards.

“Within a year, the team progressed from the lab to real-world applications with industry and government partners, including a world-first footpath trial in Gisborne,” he said. 

“Their coffee concrete is being used in Victoria's Big Build projects, and is displayed in Germany's prestigious Futurium museum as an innovative material for a sustainable future.

“Partnerships with international industry leaders, such as Sweden's C-Green, have opened new research avenues.

“With venture capital-backed commercialisation underway, this innovation is having a significant impact in the circular economy and construction industry.” 

Dr Rajeev Roychand (back left) with BildGroup employees who are RMIT alumna including the CEO Stephen Hill (second from right, at the back) at the site of the Pakenham Roads Upgrade. Credit: Pete Glenane, HiVis Pictures Dr Rajeev Roychand (back left) with BildGroup employees who are RMIT alumni including the CEO Stephen Hill (second from right, at the back) at the site of the Pakenham Roads Upgrade. Credit: Pete Glenane, HiVis Pictures

Roychand, the lead inventor of the coffee concrete, said the team was honoured to be shortlisted for this national award.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the invaluable support from our partners – BildGroup, Major Road Projects Victoria, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Arup, Earth Systems, Reground and Talwali Coffee Roasters – who have provided a valuable contribution during the research and development phase and in the crucial translation of this innovation from lab to real-world applications,” said Roychand, from the School of Engineering.

Council officers and the RMIT research team at the pour of the coffee concrete for the footpath trial in Gisborne. Credit: Bodey Dittloff, Macedon Ranges Shire Council Council officers and the RMIT research team at the pour of the coffee concrete for the footpath trial in Gisborne. Credit: Bodey Dittloff, Macedon Ranges Shire Council

How to vote

  • Visit the Shaping Australia Awards website.
  • Find the project titled ‘Latte-street innovation: coffee-infused concrete’ in the Problem Solver category.
  • Cast your vote by clicking on the heart icon next to the project to support a more sustainable future in construction.
Professor Jie Li, Dr Rajeev Roychand and Dr Mohammad Saberian (left to right) with coffee biochar in their lab at RMIT University. Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT University Professor Jie Li, Dr Rajeev Roychand and Dr Mohammad Saberian (left to right) with coffee biochar in their lab at RMIT University. Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT University

‘Transforming spent coffee grounds into a valuable resource for the enhancement of concrete strength’ is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138205).

Coffee biochar (left) alongside spent coffee grounds in the team's lab at RMIT. Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT Coffee biochar (left) alongside spent coffee grounds in the team's lab at RMIT. Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT

RMIT co-authors are Dr Rajeev Roychand, Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, Dr Mohammad Saberian, Professor Jie Li, Professor Guomin (Kevin) Zhang and Professor Chun-Qing Li.


Story: Will Wright

20 January 2025

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20 January 2025

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