Graphene cement patent filed by Lyten

Materials technology company Lyten has filed a patent for a new cement and concrete mix that uses three-dimensional graphene (3DG) carbon materials to enhance performance and reduce reliance on traditional Portland cement.

The international patent application was filed on 7 September 2024 and published on 13 March 2025, making the details available to the public. It covers cement compositions that include 0.05% to 2% by weight of 3DG carbons, along with ordinary Portland cement and up to 70% supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as metakaolin, limestone, or gypsum.

According to the application, the graphene-based carbon materials are made up of mesoporous carbon nanoparticles formed into interconnected graphene flakes. These flakes may carry oxygen-containing functional groups or nano-silica particles, which are intended to improve the material’s strength and durability. Early performance data in the filing suggests that the mix meets or exceeds the ASTM C1157 standard for compressive strength at three days, showing potential for faster setting and early strength gain.

The potential to replace a large proportion of Portland cement with SCMs is significant. Reducing clinker content is one of the most effective ways to cut carbon emissions in concrete production, and this development supports wider industry efforts to decarbonise concrete. If successful, it could contribute to national and international net zero targets.

The use of advanced materials such as carbon nanomaterials also signals a shift in the sector toward more high-performance, high-tech solutions. Graphene and its derivatives are known for their strength, conductivity, and stability, and Lyten claims their 3DG carbon structure disperses well and interacts positively with the cement matrix. This could improve both strength and durability, leading to longer-lasting structures with fewer maintenance requirements.

From a practical perspective, the formulation still uses OPC and commonly available SCMs, which could help with integration into existing mixing and placement practices. That could make it easier for concrete producers and contractors to adopt, assuming the material proves cost-effective and workable at scale.

However, the patent currently references ASTM standards, and further testing would be needed to meet BS EN 197-1 and other UK or EU regulatory requirements. Adoption in the UK would depend on compliance with local performance benchmarks.

The cost and scalability of producing 3D graphene carbons remain unknown, and may ultimately determine how widely the material is used. If production is affordable, the technology could find a place in both mainstream and specialist concrete applications. If not, its use may remain limited to high-spec sectors such as infrastructure or precast components.

Lyten is based in the United States. The inventors listed on the patent include Peter Boul, Bruce Gittleman, Daniel Jacobson, and several others. The application is currently under review and its legal status remains pending.