Substitution of Undesirable Chemicals in Concrete

It is not uncommon for concrete used in infrastructure and buildings to contain admixtures that may be hazardous to people or the environment. For example, VOC-based primers, certain nanomaterials, amine-based corrosion inhibitors, organic water-reducing polymers, synthetic plasticisers, accelerators and retarders.

Not sure if your company’s admixtures or agents are hazardous to human health or the environment? Here at RISE we have expertise in concrete and reinforcement and we can guide your company in the replacement of hazardous substances in products and processes.

Expertise in concrete and environmental impact

RISE has broad expertise in the field of concrete and can assist your company with aspects such as:

• Regulatory requirements: Swedish standard for admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout SS-EN 934 Part 1 and 2.
• Chemical modification and suggested alternatives: Chemicals are used to produce various properties, such as surface protection, improved material properties (strength, curing, hardening), corrosion protection, precipitation hardening, and waterproofing. These chemicals are constituent in various types of materials such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), amine-based, polymer and naphthalene-based, titanium dioxide, nanomaterials, silicon-based additives, polyurethane-based repair materials and new waste materials.
• Measurement techniques offered: total organic carbon (TOC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), analytical test methods (chromatography) and corrosion testing.

Using the techniques mentioned above, we are fully equipped to evaluate your company’s samples. We can develop less harmful and more environmentally friendly alternatives for binders and admixtures (bio-based or organic). We can test new alternatives based on your company’s requirements by taking into account the properties of concrete (strength, durability, rheology). We can evaluate and assess alternatives with respect to the applicable standards.  

Contact us for more information on how we can help your company to phase out undesirable chemicals in concrete.