Mitsubishi UBE Cement Corporation (MUCC) develops new carbon-negative artificial sand

GX-e Beads^TM  is made from wastes and by-products containing calcium (Ca) as raw material, can immobilise CO₂ contained in exhaust gases etc. through the accelerated carbonation technology developed by MUCC. In addition, the production of carbon-negative artificial sand is achieved by using low-carbon type binder and adjustment of the particle size through granulation and solidification.

This artificial sand can be manufactured through dry process at room temperature, which saves facility space and reduces manufacturing costs compared to conventional technologies.

We believe that this newly developed technology can provide new value to the world.

Figure 1. Developed carbon-negative fine aggregate GX-e Beads^TM 

Features of GX-e Beads (1): Environmentally friendly concrete material

GX-e Beads^TM utilises MUCC's proprietary accelerated carbonation technology to fix/absorb 80 to 250 kg/t of CO₂ (dry base) contained in flue gas etc. In addition, since a low-carbon type binder is used for granulation and solidification of these materials, they become carbon-negative fine aggregates, which could not be achieved with conventional technologies. When used as a concrete material together with ordinary Portland cement or blended cement, it is possible to produce concrete with a reduced environmental impact.

Figure 2. CO₂ emissions of carbon-negative artificial sand GX-e beads

Features of GX-e Beads (2): Possibile to use as fine aggregate for ordinary-strength concrete

GX-e BeadsTM can be used as fine aggregate for normal strength concrete, and when used in conjunction with ordinary Portland cement or blended cement, fresh properties and strength development equivalent or better than that of normal concrete can be obtained. Therefore, it can be widely applied to Ready-mix concrete and secondary concrete products.

Figure 3. Compressive strength of concrete with carbon-negative artificial sand

Features of GX-e Beads (3): Manufacturing cost

GX-e BeadsTM can be manufactured under ambient temperature conditions and requires no special reaction equipment, keeping capital investment low.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/product-news/05022025/mitsubishi-ube-cement-corporation-develops-new-carbon-negative-artificial-sand/