USM researchers invent cementless concrete

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Dr Cheah shows the cementless concrete using 100 per cent industrial wastes during the press conference at the University Sains Malaysia. — Bernama photo

Dr Cheah shows the cementless concrete using 100 per cent industrial wastes during the press conference at the University Sains Malaysia. — Bernama photo

GEORGE TOWN: A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Housing, Building and Planning has invented cementless concrete using 100 per cent of industrial wastes.

The head of researchers, Dr Cheah Chee Ban, said the cementless concrete composite would be able to reduce carbon footprints and manufacturing energy compared to the existing concrete.

“These Eco-Friendly Cementless Concrete Blocks are unique because they can reduce the level of alkalinity and chemical erosion compared to the existing geopolymer concrete,” he told reporters here yesterday.

He said the industrial wastes were from lumber, iron and rice mills as well as electric power stations.

The cementless concrete composite could be used as material for blocks or building structures, blocks in geotechnics, paver blocks and brick walls, he said.

“In the near future, continuous efforts will be made to bring the manufacturing technology from the research lab to the manufacturing sector for large scale implementation.

“We will work with the industry that has the potential to commercialise the  invention,” he said adding that they began conducting the research in 2012.

Cheah said one cubic metre of the cementless concrete could be sold at a price of between RM150 and RM170 and it was expected to hit the market in June.

He said the price was cheaper than the market price of the usual concrete cement which was sold between RM180 and RM250 for a cubic metre. — Bernama