Award

March 2023

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Lafarge ECOPact low carbon concrete. Application of Kryton's Hard-Cem admixture. M A R C H 2 0 2 3 | 19 Restoration Products & Services When asked to predict what 2023 holds in store for Huntsman, Duzyk replies, "More requests for D-Max wall assembly and high energy efficiency construc- tion. There is also the labour shortage – it will continue into 2023, and the D-Max assembly is a great solution to counter that as it requires less materials and labour to complete the building envelope." Sustainability and lowering carbon emissions continues to be a big vision strategy for Lafarge, and Charles Thibault, director, commercial performance and marketing at Lafarge Canada Inc., points out that "in the restoration sector one strategy is to keep the same envelope as part of the restoration process, since in restoration you create waste and we're committed to maximizing recycling whenever possible." This is why Thibault and his colleagues cite ECOPact as an effective product. ECOPact is Lafarge's low carbon concrete range available throughout Canada for new or renovation projects, from residential homes to high-rise and civil infrastructures. ECOPact lowers carbon emissions by 30 percent, and Lafarge ensured that ready mix players would be adept at using the product properly by conducting over 200 webinars with 750 people last year. As a result, Lafarge this year expects 10 percent of its overall sales to derive from ECOPact, with the ultimate target being 30 percent. Thibault adds, "Lafarge has also benefitted from acquisitions, specifically the purchase of Beton Mobile du Quebec [BMQ ], which gives Lafarge three products designed for civil and infrastructure repairs as well as new construction." Available in Quebec and Ontario, the products are Ductal (an ultra-high- performance concrete with the superior qualities of resistance to compression, ductility, longevity, eco-efficiency, insulation, and aesthetics); ChronoMax (a rapid-set concrete), and Adhemax (a latex base concrete). Thibault says of Ductal, "It's great for use in overlay and in joints for bridges. Its extremely high strength and flexibility approaches that of steel, and we deliver the product in volumetric trucks; you mix as you go, meaning no loaders and less activity, which contributes to our sustainability goals." Thibault notes that ChronoMax's quick setting properties "means less time spent on site, which of course is an advantage for road or bridge work. As for Adhemax, this latex based concrete is also delivered in volumetric trucks due to it being extremely quick setting. The product provides minimal penetration of salt and other chemicals, and it's great for horizontal or vertical repairs." Kevin Yuers, VP of product development at Kryton International Inc., points out that his company famously has a line of products for the restoration market including patch repair, leak repair, and spray-on water repellent. He cites New Gold Inc.'s New Afton Mine near Kamloops as an example of how just one of the products, Kryton's Hard-Cem admixture, goes a long way in restoring critical infrastructure. "The Afton Mine was a challenge because the concrete was worn down right to the rebar," he says.

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