Solidia Technologies, a Piscataway, N.J., developer of proprietary cement and concrete production methods with lower carbon dioxide loads than conventional alternatives, and United Kingdom-based CDS Group, the world’s largest curing and drying specialist company, have announced a collaboration aimed at developing equipment designed to replace water with CO2 for precast concrete curing. Targeted innovations will include technological upgrades for existing curing chambers and the design and manufacture of new assemblies to accommodate Solidia’s patented CO2-curing process.
“Solidia’s technology will extend our commitment to delivering sustainable innovations to the global building materials market,” says Andrew Hall, president of CDS U.S. operations. Established sustainable technology from CDS includes Envirocure systems, with many uses throughout concrete production—from decorative to structural elements, including paving, block, pipe and large precast items. Owing to its worldwide presence, CDS is fully conversant with the regulations that may occur in countries across the globe and can provide systems that have technical and agency approval.
Solidia’s CO2-based concrete curing technology hinges on namesake cement milled using novel chemistry. The patented process results in lower CO2 emissions in the cement production phase when measured against comparable portland cement milling, and involves the capture of CO2 in precast concrete production. Overall, CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 70 percent in Solidia process, with 60–100 percent of process water recycled. The technology offers producers what company officials contend are significant cost savings compared to water-based curing of conventional cement based on faster curing times; lower energy and raw material consumption; reduced waste generation and reduced labor requirements; and, improved performance of building materials, using existing equipment, materials and formulas.
“We are thrilled that CDS joins the global industry leaders who are collaborating with us [on] turn-key solutions that deliver both added value and cost savings while reducing their carbon footprint,” says Solidia CEO Tom Schuler. “Our primary research & development focus is to make it easy and profitable for manufacturers to adopt our technology. Modifying new or existing chambers will minimize capital investment for our customers.”
CDS joins The Linde Group, a global leader in the industrial gas market, which has extended its CO2 supply and delivery expertise to technology development and commercialization. Combined with Lafarge Group, a world leader in cement production and concrete application development, Solidia has assembled an influential and well-respected partnership to launch its technology worldwide.
Government-backed research & development reinforces Solidia Cement and Concrete commercialization. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration supports the technology pursuits with a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to examine transportation infrastructure applications at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, while the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory has co-funded a four-year research and development project as part of its CO2 Storage Program.
Long-term research continues at Rutgers University, New Jersey, where the original generation of the Solidia Cement technology was developed. Collaborative research efforts are likewise underway are Purdue University, Ohio University, and University of South Florida. The strength and durability of Solidia Concrete has been verified according to ASTM and AASHTO specification by the CTLGroup.