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Breakthrough Technology
Lowers Embodied Carbon in Concrete Masonry Units and Veneers.
CarbonX™ technology lowers carbon in CMU by up to 50%
Answering a Market Need
In response to the overwhelming desire of designers to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment, the Concrete Products Group, a group of market leaders in the concrete products industry, has developed a technology – the CarbonX™ CMU technology — to lower the embodied carbon of various concrete masonry units (CMU) and select veneers.
During the manufacturing process, use of the CarbonX™ CMU technology lowers the embodied carbon in a CMU by up to 50%, compared with an industry average mix design. The CPG members who are making CarbonX™ CMU are in the process of preparing EPDs to demonstrate the lowered GWP from use of CarbonX™, so designers will have new options to meet their targets, such as the Architecture 2030 Challenge and the SE 2050 Challenge
NOTE: CarbonX™ is offered regionally by three CPG producers: Barnes & Cone, Jandris Block, and Basalite.
Why Concrete Masonry Units?
Overview
Concrete Masonry Units are one of the most versatile products in the construction industry.
They can provide the structure of a building as single wythe walls or by providing a strong back up wall for many types of veneers. Concrete masonry walls can even be the veneer system itself with options such as smooth face, split face, ground face, polished, sculptured units.
Advantages:
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- Design flexibility
- Lower initial and lifetime costs
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Safer structure: fire resistance, blast and bullet resistance
- High resiliency: protects from high wind events and tornadoes, floods and hurricanes
- Long lasting and durable
- Energy efficiency: due to their heat capacity, mass walls offer thermal storage and aid with the passive survivability of a structure
- Sound insulating properties: STC ratings 40-63
- Plus: environmental impact benefits with the introduction of the CarbonX technology
CarbonX™ Technology: Delivering A Lower Carbon CMU
The Concrete Products Group is known for its extensive research developing innovative products, from high performing insulated CMUs to sculptured veneers. With CarbonX™, we have developed a revolutionary technology, utilized in the manufacturing process, which increases the reactivity of the raw materials – including cement. This increased reactivity not only reduces the consumption of cement, but also increases the amount of C02 sequestration that occurs during and following production. Carbon dioxide from ambient air reacts with the constituents of the CMU and is permanently sequestered as calcium carbonate within the block, creating a carbon sink. This reaction does not affect the performance or strength of the block, and in some cases increases it.
Highlights
Breakthrough technology reduces embodied carbon by reducing cement content and increasing sequestration.
Less cement - without diluting with cement substitutes (substitutes tend to reduce CMU strength, slow curing, and therefor slow construction time)
PLUS Carbon Sequestration - The CMU acts as an energized carbon sink which results in lowering the embodied carbon by up to 50%, depending on the product.
Peer-reviewed Industry test protocol developed to measure carbon sequestration and based upon replicated tests of CMU rather than theory.
Third party verified EPDs available for products manufactured with the CarbonX™ technology.
Technological Innovations
No Cement Replacements Needed
The technology re-engineers the generally accepted mixing, batching and curing methods used in the industry. This allows the production of concrete products that meet accepted strength and performance standards while using significantly less cement. The reduction is made without relying on cement substitutes – a significant departure from prior industry attempts at cement reduction. As a result, there is a significant reduction in carbon emissions solely due to source reduction in the usage of cement.
Technology Creates Carbon Sink
The CarbonX™ technology enhances the amount of carbon dioxide the concrete product can sequester during the curing and storage phases of the manufacturing process. As a result, the resulting product can demonstrate significant amounts of sequestration from “cradle to gate” even before it is delivered to the customer. This is an unprecedented advancement in the concrete products industry.
Innovation Yields Benefits Beyond Environmental Performance The manufacturing process is very cost-effective and yields other product quality enhancements, beyond the environmental benefits. The technology allows manufacturers to avoid leaving excess unhydrated cement in the finished concrete product. Unhydrated cement can cause problems such as efflorescence.
Measurement You Can Trust For the first time, a masonry industry-vetted protocol now exists for easy measurement of the amount of carbon sequestration that occurs. As a result, all CarbonX™-based products have documented performance characteristics regarding their cement content and carbon sequestration rate, along with standard test results for strength and other required characteristics. This peer reviewed test protocol has been published in The Masonry Society (TMS) Journal.1
1. The Masonry Society (TMS) Journal, Vol. 34, No 1, December 2016
Frequently Asked Questions
CarbonX™ is a line of carbon-sequestering concrete masonry units (CMUs) that actively reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects. These masonry units are designed to reduce the amount of cement required to reach desired design strengths through greater cement usage efficiency and absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO₂) during their production, making them a more sustainable choice for environmentally conscious projects.
CarbonX™ patented mixing and batching process activates the cement in the mix design so that it is more fully hydrated. During the first 28 days following production, the CarbonX CMU actively sequesters ambient CO₂. This locks the CO₂ within the masonry units, preventing its release into the atmosphere, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Carbon Sequestration: CarbonX™ units help mitigate climate change by storing CO₂ permanently.
- Source reduction: Due to the patented mixing and batching process, cement usage efficiency is increased, requiring less cement to reach design strength.
- Durability: CarbonX™ masonry units retain the structural and durability characteristics of traditional CMUs, making them suitable for a wide range of building applications.
- Sustainability: Using CarbonX™ can contribute to LEED credits and other green building certifications.
- Environmental Impact: The production process reduces the overall carbon emissions associated with construction.
The exact amount of carbon sequestered in each unit varies based on the manufacturing process and the specific mix design. However, each CarbonX™ unit captures a significant portion of CO₂ during its production, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint for the entire project. The best method for understanding the impacts of CarbonX is through third-party verified EPDs.
- Load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls
- Interior and exterior applications
- Commercial, residential, and institutional projects
- Materials and Resources: Use of environmentally responsible materials.
- Energy and Atmosphere: Improved energy performance due to the thermal mass properties of masonry.
- Innovation in Design: Incorporation of innovative construction techniques like carbon sequestration.
- Smooth
- Split-face
- Ground-face
This allows for design flexibility while maintaining the environmental benefits of the product.
While CarbonX™ units typically are not significantly more expensive in upfront cost compared to traditional CMUs due to the carbon sequestration technology, the environmental and long-term benefits, such as sustainability certifications and a reduced carbon footprint, often outweigh any initial cost difference.
CarbonX™ masonry units are ASTM C90 compliant units and are just as durable and strong as traditional CMUs. The carbon sequestration process does not compromise the material’s performance, making them suitable for structural applications, weather resistance, and long-term durability.
You can find more detailed product information, technical specifications, and downloadable resources for CarbonX™ at the Concrete Products Group website. For purchasing information or to request samples, contact your local representative.CarbonX™ masonry units are ASTM C90 compliant units and are just as durable and strong as traditional CMUs. The carbon sequestration process does not compromise the material’s performance, making them suitable for structural applications, weather resistance, and long-term durability.
How Can We Help?
Request Samples
The Concrete Products Group (CPG) is happy to provide qualified architects and designers product samples to meet design requirements.
Please provide your name and email address and we will contact you for shipping instructions.
The Concrete Products Group LLC (CPG) consists of regional market leaders in the concrete products industry. The CPG is organized to provide consistent, top-quality products to regional and national customers.
To order, call
800-789-0872
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