The present invention relates to additives and, more specifically, the use of biochar, in concrete and other cementitious materials to provide for building materials that have a lower carbon footprint than their traditional counterparts. Traditional methods for production of cement produce large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). When coupled with the massive demand for cement building materials around the world, this means that the cement production has a significant impact on the amount of CO2 produced globally. By including biochar and other additives along with, or instead of some traditional components of cement, one may be able to provide for cementitious building materials that sequester carbon, rather than release it.

Aspects of the invention include a method of producing a cement material comprising step of: first reacting a calcium-bearing starting material with a first acid to produce an aqueous first calcium salt; second reacting the aqueous first calcium salt with a second acid to produce a solid second calcium salt; wherein the second acid is different from the first acid and the second calcium salt is different from the first calcium salt; and thermally treating the second calcium salt to produce a first cement material. Preferably, but not necessarily, during the second reacting step, reaction between the first calcium salt and the second acid regenerates the first acid.

The present invention relates to a compact and highly dense engineered concrete binder composition and a method of producing the same. In particular, the engineered concrete binder composition comprises at least one mechano-chemically modified component.

The present invention relates to a compact and highly dense engineered concrete binder composition and a method of producing the same. In particular, the engineered concrete binder composition comprises at least one mechano-chemically modified component.

The present invention relates to the field of cementitious compositions. Particularly, the invention concerns an alkaline-activated fly ash cementitious composition and the use of this composition as a binder in concrete production.

The present invention relates to the field of cementitious compositions. Particularly, the invention concerns an alkaline-activated fly ash cementitious composition and the use of this composition as a binder in concrete production.

The invention relates to a potting paste composition for honeycomb reinforcement having improved fire retardancy characteristics. The potting paste composition comprises (a) a curable polymer; (b) a curing agent for the curable polymer; (c) a fire retardant comprising an ammonium polyphosphate in combination with an ingredient selected from the group consisting of metal hydroxides, expandable graphites, liquid phosphate esters, phosphorous organic compounds or salts thereof, and zeolites; and(d) a filler selected from the group consisting of polymeric microspheres, hollow glass microspheres, and thixotropic fillers; wherein the potting paste has an uncured density determined by the method according to EN ISO 1183 of not more than 0.7100 g/cm.sup.3, preferably of at most 0.680 g/cm.sup.3, more preferably of at most 0.673 g/cm.sup.3, still more preferably of at most 0.660 g/cm.sup.3, even more preferably of at most 0.658 g/cm.sup.3, yet more preferably of at most 0.653 g/cm.sup.3 and in particular of at most 0.620 g/cm.sup.3; and wherein the total content of the fire retardant is at least 5.0 wt.-%, preferably at least 10 wt.-%, more preferably at least 15 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the potting paste composition.

The invention relates to a potting paste composition for honeycomb reinforcement having improved fire retardancy characteristics. The potting paste composition comprises (a) a curable polymer; (b) a curing agent for the curable polymer; (c) a fire retardant comprising an ammonium polyphosphate in combination with an ingredient selected from the group consisting of metal hydroxides, expandable graphites, liquid phosphate esters, phosphorous organic compounds or salts thereof, and zeolites; and(d) a filler selected from the group consisting of polymeric microspheres, hollow glass microspheres, and thixotropic fillers; wherein the potting paste has an uncured density determined by the method according to EN ISO 1183 of not more than 0.7100 g/cm.sup.3, preferably of at most 0.680 g/cm.sup.3, more preferably of at most 0.673 g/cm.sup.3, still more preferably of at most 0.660 g/cm.sup.3, even more preferably of at most 0.658 g/cm.sup.3, yet more preferably of at most 0.653 g/cm.sup.3 and in particular of at most 0.620 g/cm.sup.3; and wherein the total content of the fire retardant is at least 5.0 wt.-%, preferably at least 10 wt.-%, more preferably at least 15 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the potting paste composition.

Disclosed is a new composite material comprising nanocellulose and hemp or a hemp-derived component, such as pure hemp, hemp bast fibers, hemp inner fibers, hemp shives, hemp leaves, hemp seeds, or ground hemp. The nanocellulose may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and may include cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof. This invention provides construction blocks or panels; engineered parts; fire-resistant objects; coatings; containers; textile compositions; and fabric materials, for example. The composite material may also include one or more additives to modify mechanical, thermal, chemical, and/or electrical properties. The addition of nanocellulose can improve the mechanical properties of hemp-containing concrete mixtures to improve compressive strength for construction purposes.

Disclosed is a new composite material comprising nanocellulose and hemp or a hemp-derived component, such as pure hemp, hemp bast fibers, hemp inner fibers, hemp shives, hemp leaves, hemp seeds, or ground hemp. The nanocellulose may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and may include cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof. This invention provides construction blocks or panels; engineered parts; fire-resistant objects; coatings; containers; textile compositions; and fabric materials, for example. The composite material may also include one or more additives to modify mechanical, thermal, chemical, and/or electrical properties. The addition of nanocellulose can improve the mechanical properties of hemp-containing concrete mixtures to improve compressive strength for construction purposes.