A new biomass-based liquid admixture for concrete uniquely combines the benefits of traditional performance-enhancing additives with decarbonization. Hydrous bio-graphene oxide (hBGO), developed by AlterBiota (Edwardsville, Nova Scotia, Canada; www.alterbiota.com), is a stable, high-solids dispersion that helps to improve strength and durability, reducing the amount of carbon-intensive and expensive Portland cement used, while also drastically reducing the carbon footprint via the use of carbon-negative feedstock. Unlike other lower-carbon concrete technologies like carbonation or supplemental cementitious materials, hBGO requires no modification to admixture dosing systems or batching practices. And other performance-enhancing additives, such as superplasiticizers, are significantly more carbon-intensive than hBGO, as they are derived from fossil-fuel feedstocks.
“Greater than 80% of our admixture is derived from biomass carbon. hBGO is produced by pyrolyzing lignocellulosic biomass from the forestry industry using standard indirectly fired rotary-kiln technology to create a highly graphitic biochar precursor for our patent-pending high-shear liquid-phase milling and exfoliation process,” explains Mark Masotti, CEO of AlterBiota. This one-pot, water-based process requires no downstream separation or effluents and only uses standard process equipment. “We have demonstrated pilot production at the scale of 250 L per batch, which is convenient for commercial trials using standard 208-L industrial drums,” adds Masotti.
The company recently moved its operations into a 3,000-ft2 plant outside Sydney, Nova Scotia, and is currently working with piloting partners on industrial trials with plans to expand these activities throughout the coming months. The company was recently awarded CAN$4 million in seed financing to further develop and commercialize its sustainable concrete additive.