Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies develops low metakaolin-based cement

Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies (HGCT) is completing the construction of a 50,000t pilot plant in Bournezeau, Vendée, France. The new works will produce cement using flashed metakaolin, reducing CO₂ emissions to 200-250kg/t produced, according to the company.

"We use flashed metakaolin, clay flashed at 750˚C for five seconds, the clay is rendered in a metastable state, between the raw state and the burnt state. This clay powder is then activated. We also worked on clay powder, gypsum and blast furnace slag. We create an alkaline reaction, which allows to obtain a powder mixed with aggregates to obtain concrete, " explains HGCT President, Julien Blanchard. 

The plant represents an investment of EUR10m, including research and development. It is the result of a close co-operation between Julien Blanchard and David Hoffmann, a chemical engineer who previously worked in waste treatment and has since joined the company as Scientific Director and General Manager.

The two men have filed three patents since 2014, including recipes for cements to produce prefabricated concrete. The company’s marketing drive is scheduled to start in January 2019, at which point the company is working to have its products certified and to multiply output by 10.