Displaying items by tag: performance

US: Netherlands-based Basilisk has launched its bacterially-enhanced Basilisk Self-Healing Concrete in the US. The product self-heals cracks with new limestone, sealing them shut without the need for additional maintenance.

Japan: Taiheiyo Cement says it is progressing with its C4S project to develop a novel concrete imbued with CO₂ from direct air capture (DAC). The project is a collaboration with the University of Tokyo, with support from the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO). Taiheiyo Cement says that concrete developed by the partnership aids faster CO₂ capture via DAC, increasing strength, confirmed seismic resistance and carbon neutrality per full life-cycle assessment.

Taiheiyo Cement says that the eventual certification of DAC-carbonated concrete will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of the Japanese construction sector.

India: Research institution Sasthra Vedhi has developed a method for the disposal of hazardous wastes like nickel-cadmium batteries and flourescent light bulbs in hollow concrete blocks called Blue Blocks. Blue Blocks can contain mercury leaks and other hazards while meeting strength standards by transferring the entire load into the solid concrete of the block.

US: A ‘leading global building materials producer’ has independently validated Premier Graphene’s claimed 32% increase in the tensile strength of concrete produced using its graphene enhancement technology. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that the building materials producer will now conduct larger-scale testing prior to possibly entering into initial and long-term supply agreements with Premier Graphene.

Premier Graphene president Pedro Mendez said "We are thrilled with the positive feedback we've received, and we look forward to seeing the results of the further concrete testing which is expected to be confirmed and lead to orders. This could mark a significant milestone for Premier Graphene and our commitment to advancing construction technologies."

US: Carbon Limit has announced the launch of CoolCrete, an additive designed to lower the temperature of concrete by over 10°C through advanced thermal emittance and enhanced solar reflectance. The company says that CoolCrete-treated concrete will help to tackle the urban heat island effect. By reducing the proportion of cement in concrete, it also lowers its CO₂ emissions by up to 40%. Licensed affiliates Bison Innovative Products and NCP Industries are set to incorporate CoolCrete in commercial and residential concrete products later in 2024.

The launch page for CoolCrete on Carbon Limit’s website can be found here.

US: Princeton University researchers Shashank Gupta and Reza Moini have developed an extra-strength hollow concrete based on the tubular structure of the femur bone. The concrete offers 5.6 times greater strength than conventional concrete by isolating cracks. BGR News has reported that the developments are applicable to commercial concrete production through 3D printing or precast concrete casting.

Saudi Arabia: Al Kifah Ready Mix & Blocks has updated the market on its achievements in the sustainable concrete space in Saudi Arabia. The producer’s mixes include slag-based aggregates, as well as natural pozzolans and CO₂ injected using equipment developed by Canada-based CarbonCure. Gulf Construction News has reported that the company's range of ultra-low CO₂ ConGreen concrete products and BloGreen concrete blocks have supported projects including the Aramco Stadium project in Al Khobar, Qiddiya amusement park in Riyadh and King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex in Jubail.

General Manager Nigel Harries said "Al Kifah Ready Mix & Blocks’ products have been widely adopted in mega and giga projects across the kingdom and have proved their high performance, thus strengthening the company’s position in the Saudi market. Al Kifah’s green solutions have unique properties that facilitate tasks on the job site through their better workability and finishability. They can be considered an all-in-one solution, offering zero wastage, zero mobilisation time, lower emissions and a smart way for supplying concrete in remote areas."

Brazil: Gerdau Graphene has launched NanoCONS, a new line of graphene-based admixtures for concrete. Graphene-Info News has reported that NanoCONS increases the durability and strength of concrete, while lowering its CO₂ emissions by 20%, according to the developer. Gerdau Graphene noted that the first product in the line, water-based NanoCONS W104, offers faster drying times, making it well-suited to use in precast concrete production.

UK: CRH-subsidiary Tarmac has launched the new CEVO umbrella brand for its reduced-CO₂ concrete range. A colour-coded labelling system of strength and sustainability ratings also accompanies the new brand. The CEVO range will be the UK’s first to align entirely with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)’s Low Carbon Concrete Routemap. Tarmac has also released a new carbon calculator, benchmarked against the Green Construction Board standard and calculated in accordance with PAS 2050 lifecycle assessment methodology. This includes a major update to the new BS8500 British concrete standard, which allows up to 20% limestone filler in concrete. The company has also developed an alkali-activated material (AACM) system in line with the new standard.

Tarmac’s head of readymix concrete performance Andrew Campling said "We've listened to our customers and made the process of accessing transparent data and procuring lower carbon concrete as simple as possible. Through the benchmarking, the options to deliver carbon savings are even easier to understand and measure - it is designed to be specification made simple."

Argentina: Holcim Argentina has launched a new line of liquid additives under the brand Tector. The line encompasses two products: Tector Hydrophobic 1230 reduces permeability in cementitious mortars, improving workability and corrosion resistance, while Tector Latex 1700 enhances adhesion, flexibility and plasticity in various applications, reducing surface cracking and flaking.