Construction

The company is a UK based start-up which is backed by a larger business operating in the commercial property and business investment field. The company was founded by a chemical engineer with extensive experience in academia and industry. The company is now preparing to scale. They have discovered a chemical process that activates the hardening of the concrete mixture, unlike the crystallisation and hydration process associated with Ordinary Portland Cement. This carefully calculated process can be tailored to meet various concrete application requirements. As it is a chemical reaction, it allows for the inclusion of a wide variety of waste materials in the mix. The concept is that materials should be used that are local to where the concrete will be produced, thereby minimising carbon footprint associated with transportation. The company has developed a range of high-performance Ordinary Portland Cement ("OPC")-free binders that have a substantially reduced (>68%) Global Warming Potential (GWP) and enable the production of concrete with superior engineering properties. The company's innovative binders can produce a range of concrete grades suitable for diverse industries and applications. Ideal concrete applications are porous (pervious), pre-cast structures, cladding panels, marine structures. Since the company's binder-based concrete relies on a chemical bonding process, it has been possible to tailor the chemical composition for properties such as high strength, high permeability, shock absorption, conductivity, water durability, or rapid setting. The company seeks a EU partner with an established market within Algeria. New regulations there are driving increased demand for low carbon cement. The company seeks a partner that is wanting to take advantage of their innovating low carbon cement to establish a market leading position to meet this new growing market demand. Partnership is offered under a commercial agreement with technical support. Advantages and innovations It reduces the carbon footprint of concrete products by circa 70% • Min. 5% - 30% ** less water used • Lower (min. 10%) equivalent dosage of binder/m3 concrete and lighter (min. 5%) • Better flow characteristics • Better and more flexible setting times • Increased durability and no shrinkage • Better water resistance Expected role of a partner Type of partner sought: Concrete product manufacturers (pre-cast and readymix) with Algerian market presence and knowledge. Target sector: Cement and Concrete Industry Role/tasks to be performed by the partner: Whilst the company can supply small tonnage quantities of novel binders via existing contractors, they ideally seek partners with in-house milling and blending capability (which could be used to produce and pack the binder at larger volumes) plus a captive demand for binders to produce concrete products for use in pilot projects.