New US Patent for Solidia Technologies’ CO2-cured Concrete Advances the Performance and Sustainability of Building Materials

PISCATAWAY, N.J., January 19, 2018—The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent for the unique structure of CO₂-cured Solidia Concrete™, further advancing the availability of higher-performing and more sustainable materials to the global construction and materials industries. Solidia Technologies^® holds the exclusive licensing rights to the patent, which is held by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where the original generation of the material was invented.

U.S. Patent No. 9,868,667, “Bonding Element, Bonding Matrix and Composite Material Having the Bonding Element and Method of Manufacturing Thereof,” covers the composition of matter of the distinctive, non-hydraulic, CO₂-cured concrete available as Solidia Concrete.

“The hydrate bonds in conventional concrete can compromise that material’s strength and durability,” explained Solidia Chief Technology Officer Nicholas DeCristofaro, Ph.D. “With CO₂-cured concrete, bonding elements based on silica and calcium carbonate create a wide range of attractive properties, including mechanical strength, resistance to freeze-thaw deterioration, and resistance to sulfate attack.”

Solidia’s systems offer superior products that address the cement industry’s goal of reducing its carbon emissions, which contribute 3-5% of global CO₂ pollution. Solidia’s patented processes start with an energy-saving, sustainable cement. They then cure concrete with CO₂ instead of water, reduce the carbon footprint of cement and concrete up to 70%, and recycle 60 to 80% of the water used in production. Using the same raw materials and existing equipment as traditional concretes, the resulting CO₂-cured concrete products are higher performing, cost less to produce, and cure in less than 24 hours.

“Our next-generation, CO₂-cured concrete offers a competitive edge to the global US$1 trillion concrete and US$300 billion cement markets, advancing profitability and sustainability in an industry that needs both,” said Solidia President and CEO Tom Schuler. “We are pleased that this patent confirms that Solidia Concrete is a higher-performing, more versatile product than traditional concrete.”

Currently in commercialization for large- and small-scale applications, the initial technology focus was on unreinforced precast applications, including pavers and blocks. Solidia is now developing commercial processes for reinforced applications, including aerated concrete, railroad ties, architectural panels and hollow core extrusions.

The company’s patent estate includes over 200 patent applications worldwide, with 32 issued patents and 14 scheduled to be issued in the coming months. Solidia’s investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Bright Capital, BASF, BP, LafargeHolcim, Total Energy Ventures, Air Liquide, Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) Climate Investments, Bill Joy and other private investors.

Solidia’s R&D collaborators have included LafargeHolcim, Air Liquide, CDS Group, DOT’s Federal Highway Administration, DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, the EPA, Rutgers University, Purdue University, Ohio University, and the University of South Florida.