A second, constructive life for greenhouse gas

These aren't the typical bricks. Over time, they quietly absorb the carbon dioxide being injected into the chamber, undergoing a remarkable transformation, emerging stronger and more durable than traditional sand-based ones.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, CS Tech Solution's breakthrough offers a glimpse into a future where everyday materials can play a role in healing the planet.

Founded in 2022 by Dixon Chan and Terence Wong, CS Tech offers business-to-business carbon capture solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is the only startup in Hong Kong — and possibly Asia — to provide a complete circular chain from carbon capture to utilization, ensuring captured carbon dioxide, or CO2 is reused rather than released into the atmosphere.

The company recycles wood waste from construction sites, burning it into biochar — a green material used as a soil conditioner or pollutant filter. Emissions from the process are captured, liquefied, and used in eco-bricks or concrete, triggering chemical reactions that consume the gas.

Additionally, carbon credits from emission reductions can be traded, generating revenue. CS Tech is collaborating with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), a statutory body tasked with driving innovative technology, to draft a carbon credit methodology, with its first batch of credits expected in early 2026.

Concrete is their next target for carbon dioxide usage, as it reduces the need for cement, a highly carbon-intensive material. Chan said the company has secured a deal with one local cement factory and is in talks with another.

"CS Tech's system could capture one metric ton of carbon dioxide. In fact, the carbon dioxide captured by our system falls short of our demand now. We are on our way to recalibrate our system and boost the capacity to two to three tons a day," he said adding daily capacity could go as high as five tons.

In March, CS Tech launched its first batch of eco-bricks containing biochar, marking the fruition of Chan's brainchild after a decade. A total of 7,000 square meters of biochar pavers were used in a Tung Chung project — equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by about 7,000 kilograms, according to the company.