GREEN CONCRETE

In the modern world, concrete in its traditional Portland cement form is one of the most consumed substances by mankind other than water. The production is energy hungry and its implementation in building and structures needs large amounts of energy and extra building substrates to support its considerable weight. The idea of a decorative mineral cement panel which can be used to clad light structures instead of solid forms of concrete and steel is an attractive proposition when considering reducing the elements of construction to lessen the carbon footprint. With this in mind, Concreate floor planks and wall panels are produced using the mineral cement, with just a 4 mm skin which is mixed with natural recycled fibers. This mixture has no harmful chemicals. It is both mold and fire resistant while remaining breathable. The 4 mm skim layer is then cold press glued using formaldehyde free adhesive to a magnesium oxide/MgO cement base which uses 50% less energy in production than the conventional Portland cement.

LESS IS MORE

One of the main advantages of using an MgO base is its lightweight honeycomb structure, which is extremely strong also relatively light. Without this base, the floor planks would need to be much thicker like conventional poured concrete flooring and polished concrete tile which can weigh ten times as much. The result is a concrete floor plank which is just 14 mm thick and can be installed on any structure supporting sub-floor. This means that for the first time, concrete can be installed in lightweight buildings using less building materials and far less energy to transport and install. Concreate wall panels can be bonded to any flat surface so walls do not need to be reinforced and a solid concrete aesthetic can be created without the need for heavy construction.

LOW ENERGY LIVING

Once installed in a home, a concrete surface will help reduce energy consumption by acting as a thermal mass. Like ceramic tiles, Concreate will warm quickly with underfloor and central heating; but unlike a ceramic surface which cools quickly, Concreate will store warmth. Once required temperature is reached and the thermostatic control turns off the heat source, a Concreate floor will maintain the room temperature. This heat storage capacity also works to store and retain heat into a Concreate floor that receives natural sunlight during winter days. Installed in a well-insulated building, Concreate can be used as part of a low carbon structure.

HEALTHY LIVING

We are very conscious of the harmful effects caused by Volatile Organic Compound/VOC emissions. By eliminating them from homes, we can create healthier living environments and Concreate can contribute towards a low VOC environment. Our products are biodegradable and can be recycled as all the component ingredients are derived from natural minerals and fibers. Both floor planks and wall panels are bonded using solvent free, VOC free adhesive. Concreate’s water resistant, easy-to-clean surface is sealed with a natural oil which can be kept dust free and is mold proof, fire resisitant.

GREEN LEAF

During their collaborative effort with the design studio, our chemical engineers only had the environmental impact in mind when creating the Concreate collection. Our floor planks and wall panels were granted the mark of Intertek’s “Green Leaf ”, which internationally certifies Concreate as an ECO friendly product. The Green Leaf Mark certifies a product has been independently tested and found to conform to multiple existing environmental regulations.