The construction industry is undergoing a pivotal shift towards sustainability, with a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions to mitigate environmental impact. Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals is leading this transformation with the launch of EnviroMix®C-Clay, a new range of admixtures designed to advance the use of calcined clay cements.
As a significant addition to the company’s portfolio of low-carbon concrete solutions, EnviroMix®C-Clay aims to lower CO2 emissions by integrating calcined clay into cement formulations. Calcined clay cements are emerging as a sustainable alternative to traditional Portland cement, offering a reduction in carbon footprint by up to 50%.
The introduction of new cements such as CEM VI (with 35-49% clinker content) and CEM II/C-M (with 50-64% clinker content, also known as LC3) demonstrates a major leap in sustainable construction materials. These cements, tested extensively in Saint-Gobain’s international research labs, leverage calcined clay to significantly cut CO2 emissions compared to conventional Portland cement.
However, calcined clay cements come with specific challenges, such as high-water demand, which require specialized solutions. Saint-Gobain’s brands CHRYSO and GCP have invested heavily in research to address these challenges. Their R&D team has analyzed over 30 types of calcined clay globally, using proprietary methods like the CHRYSO®Clear test to fine-tune the EnviroMix®C-Clay admixtures for optimal performance.
These new admixtures, supported by recent patents, are engineered to enhance the workability and compressive strength of concrete made with calcined clay. By addressing the technical difficulties associated with high-water demand, these innovations are set to improve the overall performance and versatility of calcined clay cements.
Gustavo Blázquez, Concrete BU Director at Saint-Gobain, emphasized the company’s commitment: “Our goal is to provide the construction industry with innovative solutions that not only address current needs but also drive the industry towards a sustainable future. With our advanced admixture solutions, we aim to overcome the technical barriers of low-carbon concrete and expedite the shift to greener construction practices.”
Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals continues to offer expert technical support and comprehensive solutions to ensure the effective integration and optimization of these sustainable products with local materials and technical specifications.
