In a pivotal step towards a truly sustainable future for our urban landscapes, Plantaer, a pioneering materials-design company, has been honored with the prestigious 2025 J.M.K. Innovation Prize. Operating from the vibrant ecosystem of the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Newlab venture platform.
The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, a biennial award from The J.M. Kaplan Fund, is a nationwide search identifying and supporting early-stage projects with transformative potential. This year, the prize recognizes 10 innovators tackling urgent issues across social justice, the environment, and heritage conservation. Each awardee receives $175,000 and joins a collaborative network designed to provide crucial support through critical phases of growth and impact.
Plantaer Transforms Construction with Cement-Free Concrete, Securing Coveted J.M.K. Innovation Prize
Plantaer is set to revolutionize the built environment with its groundbreaking biocompatible, cement-free concrete. Offering a vital and innovative solution to the construction industry’s staggering environmental footprint.
Challenging Construction’s Carbon Addiction
Concrete, the ubiquitous bedrock of modern cities, carries an alarming environmental cost. Its production alone is responsible for roughly 8% of global carbon emissions. Making it a significant contributor to the ongoing climate crisis.
Beyond this, in dense urban areas, traditional concrete exacerbates the urban heat island effect and accelerates stormwater runoff, straining aging infrastructure and heightening flood risks. Its inevitable degradation also leads to escalating maintenance costs and poses serious safety hazards.
Julia Bator, executive director of the J.M. Kaplan Fund said:
“Plantaer is challenging the ubiquity of construction’s most entrenched material — concrete — with an approach that is both technically sophisticated and ecologically regenerative. Their mineral binders, which replace CO2-emitting cement, exemplify the ingenuity and vision at the heart of the J.M.K. Innovation Prize, and we are thrilled to support them over the coming years”.
Buildings That Breathe: Plantaer’s Living Material Solution
Inspired by natural volcanic biocrusts, Plantaer has engineered a revolutionary alternative. High-performance, cement-free building materials that uniquely support permanent plant growth directly on their surfaces — no soil, irrigation, or fertilizers required. From exterior tiles and roof pavers to ready-mix formulations, Plantaer’s products mimic natural stone and seamlessly integrate with photosynthetic organisms.
The potential impact of these green building materials is profound. Plantaer estimates its living materials can lower surface temperatures by up to 20° Celsius, significantly reduce building energy use by 7.5 to 25%. Also eliminate at least half of stormwater runoff. Crucially, these eco-friendly concrete solutions remain fully recyclable and are designed to be competitively priced. Offering a viable, sustainable alternative to conventional methods.
Manuel Benitez Ruiz, founder of Plantaer said:
“We’re facing a climate crisis that demands we rethink every aspect of how we build our cities. Concrete doesn’t have to be gray, lifeless and carbon intensive. Our materials prove that buildings can breathe, cool themselves and support ecosystems, not fight against them”.
Accelerating Impact with J.M.K. Support
Benitez Ruiz, who brings a strong background in civil engineering and architecture to his work, is building Plantaer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, supported by the Newlab venture platform and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). With the crucial support from the J.M.K. Innovation Prize, Plantaer plans to accelerate product development, scale manufacturing capacity, and prepare for wide-scale adoption of its sustainable construction solutions.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the J.M.K. Innovation Prize, which drew a record 3,790 applications — a testament to the growing demand for philanthropic support of untested but promising ideas. Plantaer now joins a network of 60 total Prize recipients since 2015. Gaining access to strategic guidance and opportunities for collaborative learning, further amplifying its potential for widespread environmental impact.
As cities grapple with the intensifying realities of climate change and strained infrastructure, Plantaer’s innovative cement-free concrete offers a beacon of hope. Proving that a greener, more resilient built environment is not just a dream, but a tangible reality within reach.
