Versarien plc (LON:VRS), the advanced materials engineering group, has provided an update on the trials of Versarien’s water-based graphene admixture, CementeneTM in precast concrete mixes that have been carried out by Banagher Precast Concrete Limited, a precast concrete manufacturer and supplier of precast concrete products to the civil engineering and construction industries throughout the UK and Ireland.
The Company is pleased to report that preliminary results from the work undertaken by Banagher have demonstrated that 20% of ordinary Portland cement can be removed from Banagher’s typical precast concrete mix when CementeneTM is added, whilst maintaining the compression strength of the concrete. These initial results demonstrate the significant potential to reduce CO2 emissions without impacting the performance of the concrete.
The production of 1 kg of CementeneTM is estimated to generate approximately 1.44 kg of CO2 emissions and approximately 5 kg of CementeneTM is used per cubic metre of concrete. The production of 1 kg of OPC emits approximately 0.8 kg of CO2 and c.500 kg of OPC is used per cubic metre of Banagher’s precast concrete. Therefore, the removal of 20% of OPC in the precast concrete mix (approximately 100 kg) equates to a net saving of approximately 72.8 kg of CO2 emissions per cubic metre of concrete poured.
Based on Banagher’s average 60,000 cubic metre output of concrete per year, the savings achieved in these trials mean that the incorporation of CementeneTM could offer almost 4.4 million kg of CO2 savings per year at a cost the Company believes is competitive for this level of emissions reduction.
Stephen Hodge, Chief Technology Officer of Versarien, said: “We are delighted with the results that have been achieved by Banagher utilising Versarien’s CementeneTM. The use of CementeneTM has been demonstrated to offer a substantial environmental benefit at a cost we believe is competitive. We look forward to continuing to work with Banagher and, in due course, other concrete suppliers to role out CementeneTM enhanced concrete as soon as possible.”
Peter Deegan, Banagher Precast Concrete’s Technical Director, said: “We have been trialling many alternative additions to our concrete mixes in the drive to net zero 2050, graphene in a liquid state is one such product. Our new UKAS/INAB accredited laboratory has allowed us to quantify any improvements in performance based on compression testing, chloride migration, water absorption and much more. While still at an early stage, we are finding very positive results and aim to continue with the research right through to scaling up at our production plant. We are confident that graphene will play a major role in carbon reduction in the future.”
