This story was originally published in The Concrete Producer.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent for the unique structure of CO2-cured Solidia Concrete, further advancing the availability of higher-performing and more sustainable materials to the global construction and materials industries. Solidia Technologies holds the exclusive licensing rights to the patent, which is held by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where the original generation of the material was invented.
U.S. Patent No. 9,868,667, "Bonding Element, Bonding Matrix and Composite Material Having the Bonding Element and Method of Manufacturing Thereof," covers the composition of matter of the distinctive, non-hydraulic, CO2-cured concrete available as Solidia Concrete.
“The hydrate bonds in conventional concrete can compromise that material’s strength and durability,” explained Solidia Chief Technology Officer Nicholas DeCristofaro. “With CO2-cured concrete, bonding elements based on silica and calcium carbonate create a wide range of attractive properties, including mechanical strength, resistance to freeze-thaw deterioration, and resistance to sulfate attack.”
Solidia’s systems offer superior products that address the cement industry’s goal of reducing its carbon emissions, which contribute 3 percent to 5 percent of global CO2 pollution. Solidia’s patented processes start with an energy-saving, sustainable cement. They then cure concrete with CO2 instead of water, reduce the carbon footprint of cement and concrete up to 70 percent, and recycle 60 percent to 80 percent of the water used in production. Using the same raw materials and existing equipment as traditional concretes, the resulting CO2-cured concrete products are higher performing, cost less to produce, and cure in less than 24 hours.
“Our next-generation, CO2-cured concrete offers a competitive edge to the global $1 trillion concrete and $300 billion cement markets, advancing profitability and sustainability in an industry that needs both,” said Solidia president and CEO Tom Schuler. “We are pleased that this patent confirms that Solidia Concrete is a higher-performing, more versatile product than traditional concrete.”
Currently in commercialization for large- and small-scale applications, the initial technology focus was on unreinforced precast applications, including pavers and blocks. Solidia is now developing commercial processes for reinforced applications, including aerated concrete, railroad ties, architectural panels and hollow core extrusions.
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