​​​​​​​​Enabling Sustainable Precast Concrete Production

​​An innovative hardening accelerator to reduce CO₂ emissions 

​​Location: Japan

Market sector: Precast concrete

Product used: Master X-Seed 150 JP​

​The background

​​Founded in 1932, Sekiryo Concrete Corporation manufactures and sells ready-mix and precast concrete products. In 2021, the company's annual production volume was 25,000 m³ of ready-mix concrete and 13,000 tons of precast concrete. 

The company has been researching ways to reduce its CO₂ emissions in the production of precast concrete. As a supporter of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and its local initiatives, Sekiryo Concrete aims to integrate the 3R philosophy of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle into its business.

​The challenge

The company believes that reducing the amount of heavy fuel oil used in steam curing will be the most effective way in reducing CO₂ emissions at the plant. However, using powder admixtures will require the installation of silos which changes the production layout and equipment. Another admixture solution was needed to complement the existing production process.​

Our solution

​The Master Builders Solutions team in Japan​ developed a liquid type early strength accelerating admixture, Master X-Seed 150 JP, which allows Sekiryo Concrete to use it in their concrete production without changing the layout of their facility. The company conducted a test to evaluate this new admixture, and the results showed that Master X-Seed 150 JP shortens the steam curing process and a reduction of 1,570kg of CO₂ emissions when no fuel oil is used. 

Master X-Seed 150 JP is based on a special and unique seeding nano-technology of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) resulting in “Crystal Speed Hardening” in concrete.