Graphene concrete trial cuts cement and carbon emissions

A graphene-enhanced concrete admixture developed by BioGraphene Solutions (BGS) has been tested in a live construction setting as part of a collaboration with EllisDon Corporation and Tomlinson Ready Mix. The trial, conducted at a construction site in Ottawa, Canada demonstrated the potential for significant environmental and cost benefits through the use of advanced material technology.

The project involved integrating BGS's graphene admixture into a 32MPa-C-2 concrete mix supplied by Tomlinson Ready Mix for a sidewalk (pavement) pour managed by EllisDon. This innovative mix reduced cement content by 10% while maintaining standard performance metrics. The graphene-enhanced concrete achieved its target strength of 32MPa in just seven days, compared to the typical 28 days, as confirmed by lab tests and on-site results.

Francis Brazeau, general manager of Tomlinson Ready Mix, highlighted the practical benefits of the admixture: “It’s key that new technologies drive performance results cost-effectively and integrate seamlessly into our existing processes. This trial gave us confidence in BGS’s product under real-world conditions.”

EllisDon’s vice president of climate and sustainability, Jolene McLaughlin, emphasised the project’s importance in reducing the construction sector’s carbon footprint: “This is a great example of how material science can drive meaningful change in embodied carbon reductions.”

The graphene admixture contributes to environmental sustainability by lowering cement content, which is responsible for over 8% of global CO₂ emissions. BGS estimates that each truckload of its enhanced concrete can reduce embodied carbon by up to 280 kgCO₂e.

David Fisher, CEO of BGS, noted: “Our admixture offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution that fits seamlessly into the existing construction supply chain.”

BGS, founded in 2019, focuses on "green" concrete solutions, particularly targeting cement reduction in standard mix designs. EllisDon, a global construction and technology firm, is based in Canada and operates internationally, while Tomlinson Ready Mix is a major supplier in Ottawa, specialising in a variety of concrete solutions.