Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

A step forward the Zero Energy System BASF Constraction Chemicals Italia, 31100 Treviso, Italy Chemical admixtures are recognized as one of the major contributions to the development of concrete industry in the last decades. Nevertheless, the construction sector will have to undertake several challenges in line with the increasing social requirements that demand a sustainable development. Consequently, innovations to improved energy efficiency, increase in productivity, improved durability and robustness in performances are needed. Along these lines, polycarboxylate-based superplasticizers, which are extremely versatile admixtures, can be designed specifically for improving robustness, decreasing cohesiveness and increasing workability retentions in the precast industry. In this respect, a step forward the current Glenium ACE admixtures, which are essential components of the Zero Energy System Technology, has been achieved. These admixtures, designated as Glenium ACE 400 Series, provide the needed tool to the precast industry in order to undertake the future challenges in the frame of a sustainable development. Along these lines, Glenium ACE 400 Series provides water reducing ability in the range of current Glenium ACE products but with improved robustness towards variations in cement composition and aggregate properties, as well as use of SCM. Additionally, reduction of the stickiness of the concrete, which will contribute to the improvement of the productivity in the precast plant, along with a significant improvement in workability retention in comparison to standard Glenium ACE admixtures was satisfactorily achieved.