Emission-Busting Graphene Concrete Set to Transform Global Construction

A MEMBER OF the Government’s Science and Technology Select Committee witnessed the first pour of the revolutionary, emissions-busting graphene concrete at the University of Manchester.

Chris Clarkson, MP for Heywood and Middleton, was on a fact-finding mission at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the university on Tuesday 5 October.

The MP watched a demonstration of the newly developed graphene-enhanced concrete, called Concretene being poured into specially designed moulds to create the world’s first benches using the breakthrough concrete mix. Developed by the GEIC and industry partners, Nationwide Engineering, the unique ‘G’-branded benches will form part of a ‘living lab’ at the GEIC, as well being sited in public spaces on the campus.

Chris Clarkson said, “Applications like Concretene promise to be a game changer, reducing costs, emissions and building times in construction.”

Concretene Carbon Emissions

Concretene is expected to transform the construction industry – one of the biggest contributors to global CO₂ levels – and to help the UK establish leadership in advanced materials for the built environment.

This follows breakthrough research by Manchester engineers who added tiny amounts of graphene to concrete demonstrating at commercial scale it removes up to 30% of material from a build project without impacting on its strength or integrity. This means Concretene is not only much greener but also cheaper to use.

“We were delighted to showcase this technology to Chris Clarkson, especially as Britain is looking demonstrate its commitment to achieving a zero-carbon economy on the eve of the UK hosting the COP26 climate change summit,” said James Baker, CEO of Graphene, Manchester.

Construction Innovation

The breakthrough product has been developed both at the GEIC and the University’s Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) in partnership with Nationwide Engineering, an innovation-led construction company co-founded by a Manchester graduate.

Alex McDermott, an alumnus of MACE and co-director of Nationwide Engineering, said: “Our partnership with the university has fast-tracked the development of Concretene, going from lab to product in 18 months. We’re ahead of everyone else in the world with the scale-up of this technology, and we need investment to accelerate the accreditation process so we can roll it out across the building supply chain, stay ahead of the competition and bring real benefits to UK plc.”

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