In concrete chemistry, a wide array of additives are employed to control the workability and physical properties of the cement paste. We are currently evaluating the SMAC product platform as a three-in-one additive covering the functionalities of mineral admixtures, hydrophobic agents, and superplasticizers:

• Calcium-based particles form the core of SMAC act as active mineral admixtures in improving the setting time and compressive strength of hardened cement paste;
• Hydrophobic surface coating exhibits a water repelling effect and thus mimics conventional hydrophobics agents;
• Coating consist of long aliphatic hydrocarbon chains that exert repulsion forces for a better particle dispersion - similar to the effects of superplasticizers. 

Copper fungicides: Necessary evil in organic farming

• Organic farming growth leads to pressure for fully organic plant protection products
• Copper currently considered essential to prevent major crop losses in organic farming
• However, Copper use comes with considerable side effects on soil, water, and microorganisms
• Especially, soil accumulation of copper is a big concern in vineyards across EU
• So far, no satisfying, copper-free alternatives with similar efficacy exist

A copper-free, organic and efficient alternative

• We have a Copper-free, biodegradable and naturally effective PPP alternative: Surface-Modified Alkaline Calcium Compounds (SMAC)
• SMAC acts as a reservoir of alkalinity and can be used as biodegradable and biological fungicides
• Alkalinity has clear antimicrobial activity; proven in dental application as slow acting medication
• SMAC show a 40x slower release of alkalinity in water versus pure CaO
• Efficacy of SMAC comparable to copper reference products

Promising market…

Patentado el uso del hidrato cálcico para la cicatrización de lesiones cutáneas
Las propiedades desinfectantes de la cal se conocen ya desde hace siglos. Sin embargo, lo que aún no se sabía, es que el hidrato cálcico se puede utilizar también para acelerar la cicatrización de las lesiones cutáneas: en estos días, ha sido depositada la primera patente sobre un preparado a base de hidrato cálcico y aceites para el tratamiento de las heridas. Este uso para la desinfección resulta perfecto para el hidróxido cálcico de altisíma pureza producido por KFN.