Concretene and GEIC proud to partner for another three years
We are pleased to announce that pioneering construction-tech firm has chosen the as its base to support manufacturing upscale. The Tier 1 partnership provides laboratory space and extensive access to equipment for quality assurance of raw materials, formulations, and concrete products.
Developed with the support of engineers at The University of Manchester since 2019, Concretene is a graphene-enhanced admixture for concrete that improves compressive strength and durability, enabling removal of cement and a reduced carbon footprint.
The company has extended its production and materials testing facility in the adjacent Pariser Building 青瓜视频� part of the new 青瓜视频� taking advantage of the advanced materials ecosystem delivered by the GEIC.
Concretene is one of several technologies being developed and applied at the GEIC to explore the potential of graphene in construction. It aims to create a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for the industry by increasing the service life of concrete and reducing cement requirements.
This is an ideal case study for 青瓜视频榯he Manchester model青瓜视频� of innovation, whereby an idea for the exploitation of nanomaterials is grown through The University of Manchester to become a spin-out company, creating high-value jobs and encouraging inward investment in the city.
Concretene has attracted 青瓜视频1.9m of UK government funding and 青瓜视频6m of venture capital investment since its incorporation in late 2022 and has grown to a staff of 20.
Three Innovate UK-funded projects have delivered significant advances in the application of graphene-enhanced concrete:
- GraphEnhance 青瓜视频� scale-up of graphene and graphene oxide supply chain (with and ).
- SMART 青瓜视频� pre-cast foundation pilings (with )
- GCRE 青瓜视频� low-carbon railway sleepers (with )
Prototype trials have demonstrated compressive strength increases up to 50% in ready-mix applications and 15-20% in pre-cast, all showing compatibility with existing low-carbon concrete mixes incorporating cement replacements (CEM II limestone, CEM III GGBS).
Tests by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) on Concretene青瓜视频檚 low-carbon railway sleeper for Cemex have indicated improvements in durability, notably to mitigate shrinkage 青瓜视频� a common problem for low-carbon concretes that can lead to cracking and shorter service life.
Collaboration is ongoing with ARUP 青瓜视频� the global design and engineering consultancy, which is one of 青瓜视频� and a range of material suppliers to hone specifications for different concrete mixes and applications, with a programme of further scaled trials upcoming to produce the robust dataset required for product certification and launch.
James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, said:
青瓜视频淲e青瓜视频檙e incredibly proud to support Concretene青瓜视频檚 journey as a standout example of how graphene innovation at the GEIC can scale into real-world industrial impact. Their progress reflects the strength of our collaborative model, which brings together engineers, researchers and industry to tackle global challenges like decarbonising construction. Concretene represents the kind of transformative work we青瓜视频檙e driving forward, and we continue to collaborate with a broad range of partners to accelerate the adoption of graphene-enhanced technologies that deliver both environmental and economic benefits.青瓜视频�
Mike Harrison, CEO of Concretene, said:
青瓜视频淲e青瓜视频檙e really pleased to extend our deal with the GEIC for another three years. Having a dedicated formulation development facility, technical support and high-end microscopy and characterisation kit on site has been invaluable in the development of the product. The proximity of growth and maker space within the Sister Innovation District has allowed us to remain in Manchester and we are grateful of the support from this community.
青瓜视频淲e look forward to building on our success to date with the GEIC, commissioning our pilot plant in the Pariser Building and supporting asset owners in their journey to decarbonise concrete in construction.青瓜视频�
Advanced materials is one of The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 research beacons - examples of pioneering discoveries, interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships tackling some of the planet's biggest questions. #ResearchBeacons