La ricerca dimostra i numerosi benefici dell’idrato di calce

È stato provato che l'idrato di calce, se aggiunto al conglomerato bituminoso, ne aumenta la durabilità del 25%. Ciò consente di risparmiare sulle misure di manutenzione stradale complete riducendo, così, l’emissione di gas serra nocivi del 23%.

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…