Cemfree’s ultra low-carbon mortar set to go on sale in September
Ultra-low carbon mortar producer Cemfree hosted a hugely successful open day launch, at which key commercial stakeholders experienced the new product first-hand.
Cemfree, which is part of the DB Group, is based in Bourn, where it has offices and labs. A patent application for the company’s first component, the binder for the mortar, was filed in 2012.
The ultra-low carbon binder, launched in 2015, proved a genuine game-changer for the construction industry, achieving dramatic carbon savings of up to 80 per cent in concrete. The innovative technology was developed in-house and has since won multiple awards.
The open day showcased Cemfree’s masonry mortar, the UK’s first Portland cement-free mortar, which is due to go on sale in September. The innovative product offers vast embodied carbon savings of up to 70 per cent versus industry leading Portland cement-based mortars.
Katie Wills, Cemfree mortar lead, said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many guests to our open day and have the chance to demonstrate our mortar.
“The day gave visitors from within the industry the opportunity to learn more about the mortar and experience using it. We’re extremely excited about the launch of our new ultra-low-carbon mortar and can’t wait to see it being used on live projects and seeing the many benefits it will have on the construction industry in achieving their net-zero targets.”
The success of the product is all the more remarkable given how close it is to Portland cement, the industry standard to date.
Cemfree uses existing production techniques, installation principles and delivery infrastructure.
“It behaves and looks and feels the same,” says Katie. “The feedback was phenomenal.”
DB Group’s Bourn base also hosts MPS Concrete Solutions, its contracting division, which was founded in 2013.
“MPS provides outstanding industry expertise in various applications, including concrete repair, jointing solutions and waterproofing installations,” notes Katie. The division has grown significantly since it was founded in 2013, helping Cemfree’s use in a variety of applications, including slabs, walls, capping beams and sea defences.
With 4.4 billion tons of cement produced in 2021, it is perhaps unsurprising that Cemfree has been listed in PwC UK’s Net Zero Future50 report, released last week. The report looks at the important role climate tech start-ups play in transforming the industry and highlights the need for change and innovation to help achieve net zero by 2050.
Cemfree is among 49 other innovative UK climate tech companies that are looking to tackle one of the biggest challenges the UK construction industry faces.
Adam Gittins, Cemfree’s commercial manger, said: “We’re proud to be listed as one of PwC UK’s Net Zero Future50. It’s companies such as those listed within this report that are leading the challenge to find new technologies and alternatives that can accelerate the industry in reaching its net zero goal.
“We are thrilled to be among these exceptional companies making a change.”
Since it was founded in the early 1970s by David Ball, DB Group has been a pioneer in the construction industry. It was originally established to provide specialist sands for cement testing and fuse manufacturing and is still exporting sands all over the world today.
