Lafarge has reached a new milestone in its partnership with US start-up Solidia Technologies® with the signing of an agreement to commercialise a technology allowing a significant reduction in the environmental footprint of pre-cast concrete.

The patented technology allows lower CO2 emissions in the cement production process and utilises
CO2 in precast concrete manufacturing. It reduces the carbon footprint of the end-to-end process by up to 70 per cent.

Under the terms of this agreement, Lafarge will have the right to commercialise this technology worldwide. Lafarge will offer a complete solution (sustainable cement and CO2-cured concrete) in partnership with Solidia.

Commercial launch will first take place in some key markets in North America and in Europe for the manufacturing of concrete elements such as paving stones, roof tiles and concrete blocks.

This partnership illustrates Lafarge’s commitment to bring to the market innovative solutions contributing to building better cities. Lafarge has been working for over 20 years to reduce its environmental footprint and, in particular, its CO2 emissions. These have been reduced by 26% per ton of cement since 1990.

 Solidia has developed a new binder made from similar raw materials to Ordinary Portland Cement and produced in a traditional rotary kiln. It is produced at lower temperatures and through a different chemical reaction that generates less CO2.

Used afterwards in the manufacture of precast concrete, Solidia Cement™ hardens through the addition and absorption of CO2 (‘carbonation’), in a patented curing process that reduces the overall carbon footprint by up to 70 per cent.

Produced at traditional precast concrete manufacturing facilities, Solidia Concrete™ is higher performing and reaches full strength in less than 24 hours, compared to 28 days for precast concrete made using Ordinary Portland Cement. This offers considerable energy savings and cost reductions to precast concrete manufacturers.

A successful partnership
Lafarge has collaborated with Solidia Technologies since 2013 to industrialise this technology.

Lafarge researchers and technical experts worked with Solidia to demonstrate the feasibility of commercial-scale production in a conventional cement plant. In April 2014, a joint group of Lafarge and Solidia scientists validated the reduced carbon footprint and commercial viability of Solidia cement during a full-scale trial at Lafarge's Whitehall cement plant in the US.  The cement produced has subsequently been used by a variety of pre-cast customers in North America and Europe to further validate Solidia's curing technology and to produce blocks, pavers and roof tiles for commercial testing. Collaborative testing performed with many customers in recent months has demonstrated both the superior quality of Solidia concrete products and their cost competitiveness.

In December 2014, Lafarge invested in Solidia Technologies and joined Solidia’s Board of Directors.