Compositions, methods, and uses of calcium carbonate-based composition are presented. The calcium carbonate-based composition includes a plurality of restructured calcium carbonate particles that has an average size of equal or less than 10 microns in diameter. Preferably, the calcium carbonate-based composition is generated by unstructuring the aragonite using an acid and a chelator and recrystallizing the unstructured aragonite in a customized form. Exemplary aragonite-based compositions include pavement compositions.

Method for manufacturing a concrete from activated slag, comprising at least the steps consisting of: a) arranging a premixture P of water and granulates, the temperature of the premixture P being at least equal to 10° C., b) arranging an activation system A comprising at least a co-binder, a chelating agent, an alkali metal carbonate and a carbonated material different from the alkali metal carbonate, c) incorporating the activation system A and a slag S by mixing them into the premixture P, the activation system A and slag S being introduced successively and/or simultaneously, d) continuing the mixing until a fresh concrete is obtained, and e) allowing the fresh concrete to cure.

Method for manufacturing a concrete from activated slag, comprising at least the steps consisting of: a) arranging a premixture P of water and granulates, the temperature of the premixture P being at least equal to 10° C., b) arranging an activation system A comprising at least a co-binder, a chelating agent, an alkali metal carbonate and a carbonated material different from the alkali metal carbonate, c) incorporating the activation system A and a slag S by mixing them into the premixture P, the activation system A and slag S being introduced successively and/or simultaneously, d) continuing the mixing until a fresh concrete is obtained, and e) allowing the fresh concrete to cure.

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.

Method of making foamed gypsum slurry having 15 to 90 volume percent gas bubbles including: passing first slurry including water and on dry basis 50 to 98 wt. % calcium sulfate hemihydrate, 1 to 50 wt. % calcium carbonate, and 0.1 to 10 wt. % cellulose thickener via a first hose to a Wye connector conduit first inlet opening at Rate C and passing alum solution via a second hose to a second inlet opening of the conduit at Rate D to create combined mixed stream passing from the conduit to a static mixer for mixing for Time 3 to activate at least a portion of the calcium carbonate and alum to generate CO.sub.2 and create the foamed gypsum slurry; transferring the slurry from the mixer to a cavity between two wall boards via a third hose. Allowing the slurry in the cavity to expand, harden and dry.

Method of making foamed gypsum slurry having 15 to 90 volume percent gas bubbles including: passing first slurry including water and on dry basis 50 to 98 wt. % calcium sulfate hemihydrate, 1 to 50 wt. % calcium carbonate, and 0.1 to 10 wt. % cellulose thickener via a first hose to a Wye connector conduit first inlet opening at Rate C and passing alum solution via a second hose to a second inlet opening of the conduit at Rate D to create combined mixed stream passing from the conduit to a static mixer for mixing for Time 3 to activate at least a portion of the calcium carbonate and alum to generate CO.sub.2 and create the foamed gypsum slurry; transferring the slurry from the mixer to a cavity between two wall boards via a third hose. Allowing the slurry in the cavity to expand, harden and dry.

A high solids, sprayable, fast drying, ready-mixed setting-type joint compound comprising a blend of a joint compound mixture comprising: joint compound mixture ingredients comprising: calcium sulfate hemihydrate (e.g. US Gypsum's HYDROCAL C-Base), a chelating agent, and water; and an activator mixture, wherein the activator mixture comprises: activator mixture ingredients comprising: inert filler, set accelerator, and water, wherein a weight ratio of joint compound mixture:activator mixture is 1:1 to 100:1, wherein the activator mixture viscosity is the same as the joint compound mixture viscosity plus or minus 50 percent, and wherein the joint compound has about 55 to about 80 wt. % solids and a viscosity of 2,500-28,000 cps.

A high solids, sprayable, fast drying, ready-mixed setting-type joint compound comprising a blend of a joint compound mixture comprising: joint compound mixture ingredients comprising: calcium sulfate hemihydrate (e.g. US Gypsum's HYDROCAL C-Base), a chelating agent, and water; and an activator mixture, wherein the activator mixture comprises: activator mixture ingredients comprising: inert filler, set accelerator, and water, wherein a weight ratio of joint compound mixture:activator mixture is 1:1 to 100:1, wherein the activator mixture viscosity is the same as the joint compound mixture viscosity plus or minus 50 percent, and wherein the joint compound has about 55 to about 80 wt. % solids and a viscosity of 2,500-28,000 cps.

Gypsum panels and methods of making gypsum panels are provided. A method of making a gypsum panel includes combining gypsum stucco and a halide salt sequestration agent with water to form a gypsum slurry and setting the gypsum slurry to form at least a portion of a gypsum core, wherein the halide salt sequestration agent is present in an amount effective to sequester at least a portion of halide salt present in the gypsum stucco. A gypsum panel includes a gypsum core that comprises set gypsum and a halide salt sequestration agent, wherein the halide sequestration agent sequesters at least a portion of halide salt present in the gypsum core.