After piloting Microsilex with ready mixed and precast producer customers, GCC of America has launched the bagged, silica-based pozzolan as a concrete densifier and strength enhancer. The company introduced the product at January's World of Concrete in Las Vegas, marking the first time GCC has exhibited at the event. The following month, the integrated cement and ready mixed producer kept up its high profile by taking part in the MCPX show in Denver, also for the first time.

The Microsilex launch and trade show appearances add to a fairly active past two years for the company (a subsidiary of Mexico-based Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua) in the cement and concrete arenas. In May 2006, GCC became a top 20 ready mixed player in the United States with its $271 million purchase of Mid-Continent Co. and Alliance Transportation Inc. More recently, GCC Rio Grande opened a new, 1 million-ton/year, $200 million cement plant late last year in Pueblo, Colo.

Adding to its product offering, GCC introduced Microsilex as a mix agent geared for use in high-performance applications, such as bridge or parking decks, pavements, marine structures, shotcrete and high sulfate exposure conditions. Stated advantages of using the additive include increased long-term strengths, improved workability, reduced permeability, increased resistance to sulfates, and help mitigating alkali silica reactivity.

Although tan in color, the product is said not to darken concrete and is compatible with pigments. Recommended at a 5 to 15 percent dosage by weight of cement, Microsilex reportedly does not change fishishability or pumpability. The product can be shipped in bulk, super sacks or water-soluable 25-lb. bags.