Displaying items by tag: ATEX

France: Ecocem has launched a new low-carbon advanced cement technology (ACT) cement, aiming for widespread adoption in European construction projects. The ACT range promises a clinker concentration of 20%, lower than the current norm of 35% minimum.

Jean-Christophe Trassard, Director, Marketing of Sustainable Innovation, said "We achieve competitive rates by controlling granularity, the fineness of grinding and admixtures. We have also greatly developed our thinking on the addition of additives in our formulations, which required more than fifteen years of R&D and the filing of six patents."

This product contains locally sourced additives, with the capability to adapt mixes to regional availability. The ACT cement is expected to reduce water usage by one-third compared to conventional concrete. An ACT-based concrete reportedly emits 198kg CO₂/t, a substantial reduction from the 614kg CO₂/t for standard concrete in France.

Gaining market entry for ACT required European technical evaluation and European assessment document certification, currently pending in the EU Official Journal. Trassard added, "As we are dealing with clinker rates below the standards, we had to go through this certification, which gives us a very good passport for the European markets. However, local administrative variations will have to be carried out subsequently."

In France, Ecocem has already applied for ATEX certification to facilitate deployment of the ACT range, expected later in 2024. Ecocem aims to include the ACT range in standard norms by 2026.

UK: Vortex’s Loading Solutions product line has gained Zone 20 (internal) and Zone 21 (external) ATEX certification in the European Union (EU). The certification allows Vortex to broaden its international reach and enter an established European market for loading spouts, chutes and bellows as ATEX certification is required for equipment sold through the EU. The UK’s SGS Baseefa assisted Vortex in gaining certification over a year-long process.

Vortex Loading Solutions are designed to capture fugitive dust, prevent material waste, ensure plant and environmental safety, and minimise maintenance and service expenses for bulk solids applications.