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. 

Concrete blocks in GEIC lab copy

Nationwide Engineering R&D claims Concretene can reduce carbon emissions from concrete production by 30%

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鈥檚 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: 鈥淐ontinued innovation in the production of concrete can drive the construction industry鈥檚 journey towards net zero carbon emissions.  

>>See also: What are we going to do about concrete?

鈥淪upporting that transformative change with our NERD partnership furthers Arup鈥檚 goal of shaping a better, more sustainable world.  

鈥淲e look forward to using our commercial know-how and deep expertise in the built environment to help NERD鈥檚 innovators realise the full potential of Concretene.鈥�  

At the end of last year, NERD raised 拢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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