A new cement block manufacturing process developed by an American company namedSolidia Technologies®produces 40% fewer emissions during manufacturing than conventional concrete, resulting in a dramatically lower environmental footprint. Solidia’s concrete is formulated with less lime and is cured at lower temperatures than similar products - 1250° C kiln temperature compared to the usual 1450° C.

Normal concrete production consumes an equal amount of water to solid material, which is necessary for the chemical reaction that causes the binders to react. Solidia concrete instead uses CO² captured from the combustion fumes at the industrial production site, which is then re-injected into the mix. That CO² is sequestered permanently in the material instead of being released into the atmosphere.

水泥与二氧化碳反应形成碳酸钙(CaCo³)和硅酸钙(CaSiO³)，使砌块变硬。反应发生在一个封闭的室内，温度适中(60°C或更低)，环境压力。与传统混凝土需要几天才能充分硬化相比，固化的混凝土在24小时内就会硬化。

Low-emission concrete blocks
Low-emission concrete blocks © Solidia Technologies®

最终的结果是传统混凝土的总生态足迹减少了70%，包括减少60%到80%的水消耗。这种产品在市场上的巨大优势在于，材料生产温度越低，制造成本就越低。

Just 30 Solidia Concrete blocks will absorb 22 kg of CO² during the production phase (240 kg of CO² per 1000 kg of cement), equivalent to the absorption of a single tree in one year. (And talking of Trees, if you're more inclined to build or maintain a wooden deck, check out our10 Tips for Building a Green Wooden Deck here

Other advantages:

  • Reduced efflorescence as it is less porous, and absorbs less water than normal concrete
  • Stronger and more abrasive resistant than standard concrete
  • Improved durability: more resistant to cracking due to the freeze/thaw cycle
  • Compatible with unconventional aggregates and recycled glass
Low-emission concrete blocks © Solidia Technologies®

Don’t get your hopes up yet that you will be able to pour a basement or concrete slab with this; it must be cured in the factory, so its applications will be limited to paver stones and formed blocks.

Solidia Technologies® holds the exclusive rights to license the patent, althoughLafargehas signed an agreement with Solidia in 2013 to market the product in North America and Europe. In a recent development,Patio Drummondin Quebec have started production ofcarbon negative concrete CMU blocks for the North East of Canada and USA - see here.

Low-emission concrete blocks
Low-emission concrete blocks © Solidia Technologies®