A slag-based binder has at least one slag, optionally at least one CO.sub.3-containing mineral powder, optionally at least one co-binder different from the slag and mineral powder, at least one activator of the water/slag reaction, optionally at least one co-activator different from the one activator, at least one chelatant and/or at least one source of chelatant, said chelatant being preferably a scale inhibitor, and, optionally, at least one superplasticizer different from the chelatant. A kit is provided to make the binder. The binder is combined with an aggregate to make a dry concrete or mortar. A method for the preparation of a wet formulation (binder/water or concrete-mortar/water) is disclosed as is method of manufacturing buildings or civil engineering works or elements thereof, coatings, fillers, screeds, tiles, adhesives and/or internal or external insulation systems from the wet formulation. The binder is a substitute to OPC-based compositions and is environmentally friendly.

A slag-based binder has at least one slag, optionally at least one CO.sub.3-containing mineral powder, optionally at least one co-binder different from the slag and mineral powder, at least one activator of the water/slag reaction, optionally at least one co-activator different from the one activator, at least one chelatant and/or at least one source of chelatant, said chelatant being preferably a scale inhibitor, and, optionally, at least one superplasticizer different from the chelatant. A kit is provided to make the binder. The binder is combined with an aggregate to make a dry concrete or mortar. A method for the preparation of a wet formulation (binder/water or concrete-mortar/water) is disclosed as is method of manufacturing buildings or civil engineering works or elements thereof, coatings, fillers, screeds, tiles, adhesives and/or internal or external insulation systems from the wet formulation. The binder is a substitute to OPC-based compositions and is environmentally friendly.

A cement composition can include: water; cement, wherein less than 75 w/w % of the total amount of the cement is Portland cement; and a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a polymer network having at least one branching point formed with a monomer and a cross-linking agent that comprises at least three active functional groups. The cement can also be a non-Portland cement. The monomer can be a vinyl ester-based monomer that is polymerized with the cross-linking agent to form the polymer network. The cement composition can be used in an oil and gas operation.

A cement composition can include: water; cement, wherein less than 75 w/w % of the total amount of the cement is Portland cement; and a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a polymer network having at least one branching point formed with a monomer and a cross-linking agent that comprises at least three active functional groups. The cement can also be a non-Portland cement. The monomer can be a vinyl ester-based monomer that is polymerized with the cross-linking agent to form the polymer network. The cement composition can be used in an oil and gas operation.

Hydrophobized granular material comprising from 30 to 95% by weight of a pyrogenic mixed oxide based on silica and at least one oxide of metal M selected from of Al, Ti and Fe with the content of metal M oxide in the mixed oxide being from 01 to 10% by weight, and from 5 to 70% by weight of at least one IR-opacifier selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide, ilmenites, iron titanates, zirconium silicates, manganese oxides, graphites, carbon blacks and mixtures thereof.

Hydrophobized granular material comprising from 30 to 95% by weight of a pyrogenic mixed oxide based on silica and at least one oxide of metal M selected from of Al, Ti and Fe with the content of metal M oxide in the mixed oxide being from 01 to 10% by weight, and from 5 to 70% by weight of at least one IR-opacifier selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide, ilmenites, iron titanates, zirconium silicates, manganese oxides, graphites, carbon blacks and mixtures thereof.

A slag-based binder has at least one slag, optionally at least one CO.sub.3-containing mineral powder, optionally at least one co-binder different from the slag and mineral powder, at least one activator of the water/slag reaction, optionally at least one co-activator different from the one activator, at least one chelatant and/or at least one source of chelatant, said chelatant being preferably a scale inhibitor, and, optionally, at least one superplasticizer different from the chelatant. A kit is provided to make the binder. The binder is combined with an aggregate to make a dry concrete or mortar. A method for the preparation of a wet formulation (binder/water or concrete-mortar/water) is disclosed as is method of manufacturing buildings or civil engineering works or elements thereof, coatings, fillers, screeds, tiles, adhesives and/or internal or external insulation systems from the wet formulation. The binder is a substitute to OPC-based compositions and is environmentally friendly.

A slag-based binder has at least one slag, optionally at least one CO.sub.3-containing mineral powder, optionally at least one co-binder different from the slag and mineral powder, at least one activator of the water/slag reaction, optionally at least one co-activator different from the one activator, at least one chelatant and/or at least one source of chelatant, said chelatant being preferably a scale inhibitor, and, optionally, at least one superplasticizer different from the chelatant. A kit is provided to make the binder. The binder is combined with an aggregate to make a dry concrete or mortar. A method for the preparation of a wet formulation (binder/water or concrete-mortar/water) is disclosed as is method of manufacturing buildings or civil engineering works or elements thereof, coatings, fillers, screeds, tiles, adhesives and/or internal or external insulation systems from the wet formulation. The binder is a substitute to OPC-based compositions and is environmentally friendly.

A method for encasing underground electrical cables, includes (a) providing a fresh concrete composition including a paste that includes a hydraulic binder, a mineral addition and water, the paste being present in a mixture with sand and aggregates, whereby the paste is present in the concrete composition in a volume of <320 L/m.sup.3 and/or the solid volume fraction of said paste is >50 vol.-% and (b) placing the fresh concrete composition so as to encase the underground cables therewith.

A method for encasing underground electrical cables, includes (a) providing a fresh concrete composition including a paste that includes a hydraulic binder, a mineral addition and water, the paste being present in a mixture with sand and aggregates, whereby the paste is present in the concrete composition in a volume of <320 L/m.sup.3 and/or the solid volume fraction of said paste is >50 vol.-% and (b) placing the fresh concrete composition so as to encase the underground cables therewith.