Construction materials

HydroGraph Clean Power has announced its second research study in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) highlighting the advancements in extending the use of HydroGraph’s Fractal Graphene™ into cement and concrete applications.

The report reportedly validates the potential of HydroGraph’s graphene for the construction industry, with graphene-enhanced concretes offering practical and sustainable options for high-performance applications, from ultra-strong construction materials to cutting-edge 3D printing techniques.

2D Fab has marked a milestone in its journey toward more sustainable concrete for road applications, with the installation of concrete center railings reinforced with nanotechnology (presumably graphene, as the company is a longtime graphene producer) in Sundsvall.

It reported that earlier this week, four out of eight of the old concrete center railings along Skolhusallén in Sundsvall were replaced with new railings reinforced with nanotechnology, paving the way for more sustainable infrastructure. These new center railings bring both improved frost resistance, and greater durability.

Bio Graphene Solutions (BGS) has announced that it has completed a pilot commercial concrete pour with EllisDon Corporation, a global construction services and technology company, and Tomlinson Ready Mix, one of Ottawa’s largest concrete providers and part of the Tomlinson Group of Companies.  

The Company’s proprietary graphene-enhanced admixture was integrated into the operational flow of a Tomlinson Ready Mix 32MPa-C-2 sidewalk concrete pour at an active construction project managed by EllisDon’s Ottawa team. The biographene-enhanced concrete mix utilized 10% less cement than the control mix design without sacrificing the fresh properties of the concrete. This pilot testing is a critical milestone in demonstrating the in-situ performance of the biographene-enhanced mix, validating lab trials which have shown that the concrete achieves the 28-day targeted strength of 32MPa by 7 days. 

Bio Graphene Solutions (BGS) has shared results of a successful trial with "one of North America’s premier precast concrete manufacturers", which reportedly saw a significant material improvement and cost savings using the BGS patent-pending organic graphene admixture.

Looking to reduce its cement content by 10%, the manufacturer ultimately saw an overall admixture cost reduction of 47% as it eliminated the need for a lubricating aid commonly used to improve concrete workability. Reducing cement is a goal for many manufacturers given its high cost both economically and environmentally (due to high carbon content). In addition to cost savings, the manufacturer is said to have observed that concrete strength tests exceeded expectations, withstanding 8,000 to 17,000 lbs of pressure without stress cracking/breaking, and that the new admixture provided 28 day strength at 43% above the requirement. In addition, there were no flowability or friction issues reported, and no significant sagging or workability noted. The results were said to have met or exceeded the manufacturer’s existing standard, while fitting seamlessly into their existing process.

Researchers from the University of Virginia, Virginia Transportation Research Council and Turkey's Istanbul Technical University have developed a more sustainable, printable cementitious composite. This new material combines graphene with limestone and calcined clay cement (LC2), and is said to offer enhanced strength and durability while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

"Our goal was to design a printable concrete that performs better and is more eco-friendly," said Osman Ozbulut, a professor at UVA's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. "The addition of graphene to LC2 cement offers a unique opportunity to lower carbon emissions while maintaining the strength and flexibility required for 3D printed construction."

Concretene has received a £3 million (around USD$3.9 million) investment to advance its carbon-saving concrete technology. 

The funding will be used for product certification and preparation for market entry, enhancing their eco-friendly concrete alternatives. This investment seeks to leverage the unique properties of graphene to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

Versarien has shared updates on its progress across several key sectors and markets, reporting a growing pipeline of opportunities, rising from £1.6 million (over USD$2 million) in October 2023 to £4.7 million currently (over USD$6,100,000), with £1.6 million (over USD$2 million) in commercial opportunities and £3.1 million (over USD$4 million) in grants. The Company said it continued to focus on developing advanced materials, especially graphene, through manufacturing-light operations and technology licensing.

In the construction sector, the company said it had placed orders for equipment to enhance its in-house construction testing capabilities following a July fundraising. The equipment would support the development of graphene-based products, such as Cementene. Versarien said it had also signed its first significant 3D construction printing (3DCP) contract with Building For Humanity CIC for a project in Accrington, UK. The Company anticipated on-site activities to begin in 2025.

Versarien has announced that it has signed an agreement with Balfour Beatty Group to develop a range of low carbon, graphene-infused, 3D-printable mortars suitable for civil construction.

This will include formulating three types of mortar: one based on local materials, and two enhanced with Versarien's graphene admixture, Cementene. Additionally, efforts will focus on establishing a UK-based supply chain, involving identifying local suppliers, integrating the graphene admixture, implementing quality control protocols, and creating distribution channels and sales frameworks for both domestic and international markets.

Innovate UK has announced a £3.2 million (around USD$4.2 million) investment in seven projects to further advance the decarbonization of the domestic concrete industry. This funding forms part of the agency's broader effort to foster sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions within the construction sector.

Among the recipients is Cemex UK Operations, that intends to use the investment to further the development of CoMLaG, a combination of micronized limestone and graphene, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

National Highways has reportedly launched a further graphene-enhanced asphalt trial, this time on a one-kilometer section of the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Witham, east of England. The first trial came in August 2021, when graphene was added to bitumen on the A1 in the North East.

The latest project saw a new surface laid on the A12 northbound, containing 40% reclaimed asphalt - thought to be the highest level ever used in the UK for asphalt with graphene-enhanced polymeric modifier. The performance will be monitored over several years by AtkinsRéalis, which will look at its carbon footprint and whole-life benefits, measuring it against a control section of standard polymer-modified bitumen asphalt.