Cemex in Mexico has introduced a new product to the market, EXTRA cement, the result of almost three years of research and development.
EXTRA cement is especially designed at the molecular level to reduce cracking due to plastic contraction by up to 80 per cent during the curing periods for concrete and mortars. It also creates a more manageable mix with better integration and cohesion, according to a statement released by Cemex. The curing process begins during the first few hours after application, when the material begins to harden and become more resistant.
"The development of this new product presented an interesting strategic challenge; Cemex could launch it as a new Premium product or substitute the product entirely, thereby achieving a product that is much better than what other companies can offer. We decided to pursue the latter and came up with the concept of EXTRA, which has now been incorporated into all our cement brands throughout Mexico," says Ricardo Naya, Commercial and Marketing Vice-President for Cemex in Mexico.
In structures built with conventional cement, cracks due to plastic contraction of the components in the mix begin to appear during this stage. EXTRA cement reduces this occurrence by up to 80 per cent, allowing the contractor to give his clients better quality results and to generate savings by avoiding the need to repair and seal cracks.
Cemex highlights that there is no product currently available from Cemex or any other company that can avoid cracking due to land settling or seismic activity.
