Spotted: Freshwater is a finite resource, yet pollution is endemic. Concrete-heavy urban areas have no way to absorb stormwater, so pollution-carrying runoff can be extensive. And as extreme weather conditions increase in frequency, so too does the volume of runoff.

US-based AquiPor is a startup reconsidering the problem from the very start – when rain hits the ground. Using patented technologies, the company’s paver material is porous enough for water to filter down to the soil, yet dense enough to capture many of the pollutants that otherwise would end up in drainage systems.

AquiPor’s new material is a direct replacement for concrete and could be installed in curbs and gutters for immediate impact. Anywhere that water gathers on or runs along the surface is a candidate for replacement with the permeable paver. As strong or stronger than concrete, the pavers also make use of leftover materials from other industries, reducing the product’s carbon footprint. Additionally, AquiPor provides a customisation option for clients seeking different levels of porosity and temperature ranges.

Turning waste streams into new products is an area of innovation that Springwise has spotted frequently. The construction industry is the ideal testing ground for new building materials and concrete alternatives, and one of the latest options to become available is a recycled brick that uses a variety of building debris. And Springwise has also spotted one of the most difficult to recycle products—batteries—being turned into fertiliser.  

Written by: Keely Khoury