
Global Concrete News
Search Concrete News
Lotte Engineering & Construction and M-Tech develop 90% reduced-CO2 concrete
Written by Global Concrete staff
06 February 2023
South Korea: Lotte Engineering & Construction and M-Tech have successfully developed a new 90% reduced-CO2 concrete with 5% cement content. Korea Economic Daily News has reported that the product has the same strength as ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based concrete and has good resistance to salt damage.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology patents paving block containing waste printed circuit board
Written by Global Concrete staff
02 February 2023
India: A team at SRM Institute of Science and Technology has patented a new concrete paving block produced using fibres from waste printed circuit board (WPCB). The refuse-derived material will replace some sand and clay in the concrete mix. SRM Institute of Science and Technology said that India generates 2Mt/yr of electronic waste (e-waste), and additionally imports this type of waste from other countries. Besides being non-biodegradable, WPCB is contaminated with colouring chemicals.
The developers said "The steadily rising volume of electronic waste poses a serious hazard to human health and the environment."
Ohorongo Cement supplies reduced-CO2 concrete for Sekelduin power plant
Written by Global Concrete staff
30 January 2023
Namibia: Ohorongo Cement Namibia has supplied 3000m3 of cement to the site of NamPower's upcoming Sekelduin power plant in Swakopmund. Ohorongo Cement used 730t of its CEMIR cement, which contains 30% fly ash, combined with an additional 30% fly ash in the concrete mixer. The producer said that the extra ash increases the finished product's density, reducing permeability.
Ohorongo Cement said that the project is 'near completion,' having begun in mid-2021.
Australian competition authorities seek comment on Sika's MBCC Group acquisition
Written by Global Concrete staff
20 January 2023
Australia: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has called for public comment on Switzerland-based Sika's proposed acquisition of Germany-based fellow construction chemicals producer MBCC Group. The commission has raised 'preliminary concerns' over the possible competition impacts of Sika obtaining an 80% Australian market share as a result of the deal.
Sika group responded to the ACCC's concerns with an offer of an undertaking to divest MBCC Group's entire Australia and New Zealand business.
Prefer and others secure Euro4.5m in EU funding for development of carbon negative concrete blocks
Written by Global Concrete staff
19 January 2023
Belgium: The EU Innovation Fund has awarded Euro4.5m to a consortium consisting of Prefer, gas provider Fluxys Belgium, lime producer Lhoist and carbonation technology developer Orbix. The collaborators are working on a project called CO2ncrEAT. The project will carbonate steel sector by-products with captured CO2 from Lhoist's Hermalle lime plant to produce alternative building materials. CO2ncrEAT will be the first project to employ Orbix's innovative technique for the purpose. Fluxys Belgium's pipeline technology will convey the Hermalle plant's emissions over a distance of 2km to a Prefer concrete blocks plant.
The consortium said that it will use 12,000t/yr of CO2 to produce 100,000t/yr of reduced-CO2 concrete blocks. The use of alternative raw materials in the blocks will further reduce their carbon footprint by 8000t/yr.
Prefer managing director Raphaël Grimont said “As market leader, we must ensure the sustainability of our business by offering innovative and eco-friendly products to our customers. With the CO2ncrEAT project, our building materials will be produced through a sustainable and efficient process and based on local, circular raw materials. The Prefer masonry block of tomorrow will retain all the advantages of the traditional block, with the difference that it will benefit from a negative carbon footprint. We are proud to develop this exceptional project together with key industrial partners, while benefitting from the trust of the European, Belgian and Walloon authorities.”