This newly developed type of concrete offers the same structural strength as concrete reinforced with steel rebar but uses far less concrete.

The concrete is strengthened with carbon fibre yarn, which is made by binding together many carbon fibres – ultra-thin threads of almost pure carbon crystals – using a process of thermal decomposition called pyrolysis.

These yarns are used to create a mesh that the concrete is poured onto.

The resulting material is six times stronger than regular concrete, but also four times lighter, due to the reduced structural sections.

The carbon-fibre mesh is also rust-proof, unlike steel, meaning carbon concrete has a longer lifespan than typical reinforced concrete. This also means structures can be much thinner since much of the thickness of steel-reinforced concrete is due to the need to prevent water penetration leading to oxidization of the rebar.