C-Crete Technologies, a cement-free concrete products manufacturer, has received funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to help advance the company’s CO2 emissions-free, zeolite-based concrete.
C-Crete’s concrete utilizes zeolite – an abundant and naturally occurring non-carbonate rock – as a substitute for Portland cement.
Portland cement has been the binder of choice for traditional cement in the construction industry worldwide. However, the material is known to contribute approximately 8% of all global CO2 emissions, primarily due to the chemical release of CO2 during cement processing.
By substituting this binder with zeolite, C-Crete has addressed this environmental issue, as the material itself is emission-free and can even capture CO2 from the air during the curing process.
During a product efficacy demonstration, C-Crete poured about 20 tons of the zeolite-based binder in a slab-on-grade outdoor concrete foundation and sidewalk steps for a building in Seattle. The binder demonstrated that substantial carbon-emission reductions in the construction sector are possible while retaining concrete’s reputation as an inexpensive building material.
The company’s zeolite binder has met current industry standards set by ASTM International for the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. With more than 5,000 psi in comprehensive strength, the binder can still flow and pump like conventional concrete.
“Expanding C-Crete’s technology portfolio with our zeolite-based, zero-emissions concrete takes us one step closer to our goal of converting locally available materials into cementitious binders,” said Rouzbeh Savary, Ph. D., Founder and President of C-Crete. “We are excited to leverage this support from the California Energy Commission to bring environmentally friendly concrete alternatives to a broader market.”
