As the construction industry continues to expand, the demand for concrete products is ever-increasing. However, the traditional methods of producing concrete are not sustainable, and companies are turning to new technologies to reduce costs and minimize their environmental impact. In this article, we will explore some of the latest innovations in concrete technology that are set to revolutionize the industry in 2023.

1. Carbon Free Concrete

One such trend is the development of carbon-free concrete, which is critical in reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
Unlike traditional concrete, which uses cement as a binding agent, carbon-free concrete is made without cement and does not produce harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) during the production process. By using alternative materials, the construction industry can significantly reduce its contribution to global CO₂ emissions, which currently stands at approximately 39%.

New technologies are being developed to make carbon-free concrete production more efficient and sustainable. For example, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a method for creating carbon-free concrete using electricity instead of heat. This process involves the use of an electrolytic bath to dissolve minerals and form a new type of cement that does not emit CO₂.

In conclusion, carbon-free concrete is an essential innovation in the construction industry, and its development is crucial in reducing the industry’s environmental impact. While there have been successful small-scale tests, the adoption of carbon-free concrete on a larger scale is still in progress. However, with new technologies being developed and increasing public demand for environmentally-friendly products, the construction industry may see significant progress towards more sustainable and carbon-free practices in the coming years.

2. Fibo Intercon Collaborates with Aarhus University on Reusing Concrete Elements

During the fall of 2022, Fibo Intercon partnered with students from Aarhus University on a project aimed at finding ways to reuse concrete elements from older buildings in new constructions. Concrete elements are often damaged during demolition, making them difficult to reuse. The students focused on developing new ways to assemble the elements so that they could be easily separated without damage. To test their ideas, the students created new concrete elements, including new attachments, at Fibo Intercon’s R&D test center.

After hardening for six weeks, the new concrete elements were brought back to Aarhus University for further testing. The ultimate goal is to enable the reuse of entire prefabricated concrete elements from existing buildings as load-bearing structures in new constructions. This would introduce concrete building components with a lower carbon footprint that support the circular economy in construction.

The need to reduce human-made CO₂ emissions globally is evident. The cement and concrete industry accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions, and there is a strong need to decouple the ever-increasing consumption of cement and concrete from CO₂ emissions. Scarcity of high-quality raw materials for concrete production, particularly in urban areas, further highlights the need for better utilisation of natural resources. This project aims to solve these challenges by enabling the direct reuse of concrete elements from existing buildings in new construction.

When buildings are demolished, concrete elements can be separated into whole components and reused directly as structures in new construction instead of being crushed. This not only saves resources but also reduces CO₂ emissions while preserving the function of the elements. However, it is crucial that the concrete elements are cut free and removed in a way that minimizes damage. Demolition companies will need to plan, execute, and ensure safety to meet these new requirements.

The project’s purpose is to develop the technological and documentary basis for reusing concrete elements from existing buildings as load-bearing structures in new construction while ensuring both quality and safety. The project focuses on two to three types of concrete elements, with the results serving as a basis for developing generic solutions. A Fibo Batching plant will be installed at Aarhus University in March 2023 to facilitate in-house testing of new concrete solutions and innovations in construction and elements. We are proud to be part of these studies for new solutions.

3. Fully Automated Concrete Technology

Concrete is strong, durable, and versatile, making it an ideal choice for building a variety of structures such as roads, bridges, buildings, and dams. However, the quality of concrete depends on the accurate measurement, mixing, and dispensing of raw materials such as cement, aggregates, water, and additives. Therefore, the development of fully automated concrete batching technology has revolutionized the construction industry by improving the efficiency, accuracy, and safety of concrete production.

Automated concrete batching systems use sensors, control systems, and other advanced technology to measure, mix, and dispense the raw materials needed to make concrete. The sensors can detect the weight, moisture, and temperature of the materials, ensuring that the right proportions are used. The control systems can adjust the mixing speed, duration, and order of the ingredients to produce a consistent and uniform mixture. The dispensing system can transport the concrete to the desired location using conveyors, chutes, or trucks.

Fibo Intercon is well-positioned to lead the way in this area, having already incorporated cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics into their mobile batching plants. These advancements enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and performance optimization, as well as greater adaptability in the production of different types of concrete with specific properties such as strength, durability, or workability. Moreover, the technology may become more accessible and affordable to smaller construction firms, enabling them to compete with larger companies.

To sum up, the development of fully automated concrete batching technology has transformed the way concrete is produced in the construction industry. The technology offers numerous benefits such as improved accuracy, reduced waste, increased efficiency, and enhanced safety. The technology is expected to continue evolving and becoming more advanced, widely adopted, and cost-effective, contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of the construction industry.

4. 3D Concrete Printing: The Future of Construction 

The construction industry has long been in need of a faster, more efficient and cost-effective way to build structures, and 3D concrete printing is one of the technologies that is poised to deliver on that promise. This innovative technology uses large-scale 3D printers to produce concrete structures layer by layer, offering the potential to revolutionize the way we design and construct buildings, bridges, and other structures.

The process of 3D concrete printing involves the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to create a digital model of the structure. The printer then reads the digital model and lays down layers of concrete, one on top of the other, until the final structure is complete. The process is highly accurate, allowing for the production of complex and intricate designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional building methods.

One of the most significant advantages of 3D concrete printing is its speed and efficiency. The technology eliminates the need for traditional formwork and can produce a finished structure in a fraction of the time it would take using conventional methods. Additionally, 3D concrete printing can significantly reduce waste, as it only uses the exact amount of material required to build the structure, minimizing the need for excess material and reducing the overall environmental impact of construction.

While 3D concrete printing is still a relatively new technology, it is rapidly gaining popularity and is expected to become more advanced and widely adopted in the coming years. Industry experts predict that by 2023, we will see more innovative uses of 3D concrete printing in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures, as well as new applications in areas such as infrastructure repair and disaster relief.

In fact, 3D concrete printing has already been used to construct a variety of structures around the world, including houses, office buildings, and even a pedestrian bridge. In Dubai, a company called Cazza is using 3D printing technology to construct an entire office building. The project is expected to be completed in just a few months, a fraction of the time it would take using traditional building methods.

Despite the potential benefits of 3D concrete printing, there are also some challenges that must be addressed before the technology can become more widely adopted. For example, regulations and building codes may need to be updated to account for the use of this new building method. Additionally, the level of investment in research and development will play a significant role in the development of the technology and its adoption by the construction industry.

In conclusion, 3D concrete printing is a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. By offering faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective ways to build structures, it can help to address some of the most significant challenges facing the industry today. While there are still challenges to be overcome, industry experts are optimistic about the future of 3D concrete printing, and we can expect to see many more exciting developments in this field in the years to come.

5. Foam Concrete: An Innovative Addition to Fibo Mobile Batching Plant  

In the construction industry, the demand for lightweight and energy-efficient materials has been increasing rapidly. Foam concrete is one such material that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a type of lightweight concrete that contains small air bubbles or foam in the mixture. The foam acts as a lightweight filler, reducing the overall weight of the concrete, while still maintaining its strength and durability.

As a leading manufacturer of mobile batching plants Fibo Intercon, has recently developed an add-on to their mobile batching plant that allows the production of foam concrete. With this new addition, Fibo Intercon has made it possible to produce both regular concrete and foam concrete with their mobile batching plant. The plant is equipped with a frequency converter that can vary the speed of the mixer during the mixing time. This helps to ensure that the foam is distributed evenly throughout the mixture, resulting in a consistent and high-quality foam concrete product.

The foam add-on box, located on the side of the plant, doses the foam into the mixer during the mixing process. This ensures that the foam is distributed evenly and consistently throughout the mixture. The foam concrete produced by the Fibo mobile batching plant is of high quality, and it can be used for a variety of construction projects, including insulation, lightweight structural elements, and soundproofing.

Foam concrete is also highly versatile and can be used for a variety of applications, including insulation, lightweight structural elements, and soundproofing. It is an excellent alternative to traditional concrete, as it is easier to work with and requires less equipment and labor.

In conclusion, the addition of the foam concrete add-on to the Fibo mobile batching plant is a significant development in the construction industry. It allows contractors and builders to produce high-quality foam concrete on-site, reducing transportation costs and making it easier to work with. The versatility and energy-efficient properties of foam concrete make it an ideal choice for a wide range of construction projects. With the Fibo mobile batching plant, producing foam concrete has never been easier or more cost-effective.