Concretene developer hopes to roll product out over next three years
Arup has taken a stake in a graphene-enhanced concrete product, which claims it will help reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector.
The engineering consultancy has taken a 4.2% equity stake in Nationwide Engineering Research & Development (NERD), the developer of Concretene, in exchange for collaboration and expertise in the global roll-out of the technology.
Concretene is an admixture for concrete which has been enhanced with graphene, a lightweight carbon-based material that is many times stronger than steel.
The product, which its developer claims will reduce CO2 emissions in concrete production by around 30%, was developed in partnership with the University of Manchester’s Graphene Engineering.
NERD has also carried out a 5% equity swap with Black Swan Graphene, which includes a supply agreement under which the former will source its graphene requirements from the latter.
Arup director Matt Lovell said: “Continued innovation in the production of concrete can drive the construction industry’s journey towards net zero carbon emissions.
>>See also: What are we going to do about concrete?
“Supporting that transformative change with our NERD partnership furthers Arup’s goal of shaping a better, more sustainable world.
“We look forward to using our commercial know-how and deep expertise in the built environment to help NERD’s innovators realise the full potential of Concretene.”
At the end of last year, NERD raised £8m in seed funding and subsequently signed a three-year deal to collaborate with the GEIC on research and development.
The company is looking to roll out Concretene to the wider construction industry over the next three years.
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