Solidia's "green" concrete soon to be commercialized by Lafarge

About to merge in July 2015 with the Swiss Holcim, creating the world number one in the industry, French group Lafarge announced on April 28th 2015 that they are about to commercialize an innovative technology that significantly reduces the environmental footprint of prefabicated cement and concrete. With the agreement signed with Solidia Technologies, based in Piscataway, NJ, Lafarge will launch this new offer in certain key markets in North America and in Europe, for cobblestones, tiles and concrete blocks production.

A cement that solidifies in 24 hours

This patented technic limits carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the cement's making process and use the CO2 in the prefabricated concrete's production instead of water. Solidia's cement is produced in a traditional cement oven with  the same materials as those used for the Portland cement, but at a lower temperature and through a different chemical reaction. It then solidifies by carbon dioxide injection and absorption, by a process called « carbonation », in less than 24 hours, when it usually takes 28 days for Portland concrete. Manufacturers save energy and reduce their costs, all while reducing their carbon footprint up to 70%.

A commercial viability validated by scientists

Lafarge works with Solidia since October 2013 to industrialise this new technic. In April 2014, a group of scientists from both companies confirmed the reduced environmental footprint and the commercial viability of the Solidia cement during a test in Lafarge's Whitehall cement manufacture. This cement has been used by different manufacturers in America and in Europe, validating this new technic by a commercial test. In Decembre 2014, the French group acquired stakes in the American company and joined the board of directors.