end of january, page-9

On 22nd Jan – I spoke to a scientist at Mahaffey Associates, he thinks it is a promising technology but offered no view on whether it would succeed commercially.

He said look at the test results, they show the potential. They have been testing the various developments and improvements for quite a few years.

Saw this on the web recently......

http://ats.business.gov.au/Company/CompanyProfile.aspx?ID=230

Descrete Australia Pty Ltd
Cement Replacement Mixture
Concrete is the most widely used material on earth apart from water, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. With an annual global production of around 5 billion cubic metres, worth around US$600 billion, concrete is big business.

Sydney-based research and development company Descrete Australia Pty Ltd is edging into the market with a cement replacement technology.

“The product has been developed and we are now moving through the commercialization stage,” said Descrete’s Chief Operating Officer Aaron Williams.

“Descrete cement has significant technical benefits over the alternative, Portland cement.

“When used in a concrete mix, our cement is able to produce a high strength product about a third lighter in weight than conventional concrete. The early curing characteristics will also dramatically improve production times.” Descrete also has improved chemical resistance and fire resistance.

There is also a significant environmental benefit in that it provides a 95 per cent reduction in greenhouse CO2 emissions associated with the manufacture of cement. The formula has been patented and uses around 90 per cent industrial by-product which is being stockpiled and is freely available globally, reducing strain on natural aggregates and sands.

A range of block prototypes were produced in outer-Sydney and once tests confirmed they met or exceeded current masonry block building standards, production commenced in September.

A license to produce blocks has been granted to an independent masonry company for the Australian market, and license rights in the UK, USA and UAE are being negotiated.

Detailed pricing studies show Descrete is able to retail at or below the current prices of competing products while delivering extra benefits.

Descrete is looking to penetrate the market with concrete blocks. Australia has an estimated annual production of 1,250,000m3 annually.