WOODBURY N.J. & PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EP Henry, the leading manufacturer of unit concrete products in North America, in collaboration with Solidia Technologies®, a cement and concrete technology start-up, has introduced the world’s first products made with low-carbon Solidia Concrete™. Using LafargeHolcim’s Solidia Cement™ as its base, which requires lower temperatures during production and thereby emits less carbon, Solidia Concrete products are cured with CO2 instead of water, reducing their overall carbon footprint up to 70% compared to traditional concrete.
“Our reputation as the leader in the industry has led to some significant partnerships in new product and technology development,” said EP Henry President Eric Long. “This most recent—and perhaps most exciting—partnership with Solidia Technologies, will shift the landscape of the concrete industry.”
Since 2013, the firms have collaborated to integrate the systems into EP Henry’s Wrightstown manufacturing facility. “As the trusted leader in concrete, renowned for driving both market and product innovation, EP Henry was our first choice as the global launch partner for Solidia Cement,” said Solidia Technologies President and CEO Tom Schuler. “We are so grateful that, by sharing their unmatched market knowledge and deep expertise in product and service innovation, EP Henry has helped us make sustainability smart business for cement and concrete.”
Through their combined research and development efforts, the firms demonstrated the many benefits of Solidia Concrete over traditional ordinary Portland cement-based products, including enhanced color vibrancy, the near elimination of primary efflorescence, improved durability, and greater resistance to de-icing salts. The products also gain full strength in 24 hours compared to the 28 days required for traditional steam-cured concrete.
“That Solidia Concrete eliminates efflorescence was my first motivation to explore it,” explained Eric, referring to the whitish deposits common to newer concrete and masonry products. “We have discovered many additional benefits, and we have been pleased with the enthusiastic reception we have received from installers and consumers, who love the product benefits and that their hardscaping projects are helping protect the environment.”
EP Henry’s new pavers and blocks gain their performance advantages as a result of Solidia’s new chemistry, which can be produced at traditional precast concrete manufacturing facilities using standard equipment but with a conversion of curing kilns to CO2. In addition to offering product enhancements, Solidia’s patented processes offer manufacturers considerable energy savings and cost reductions and just-in-time production capabilities, significantly reducing inventory storage requirements. Solidia Concrete products can also be recycled before curing, significantly reducing manufacturing waste.
Today, EP Henry products made with Solidia Concrete are being installed in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US. The company is expanding its range of Solidia Concrete product offerings. It plans to convert 50% of the Wrightstown facility to Solidia Concrete production this year, with a full conversion planned for the future. As a result of its conversion to Solidia’s CO2 curing process, within one year, EP Henry will be the largest consumer of CO2 in New Jersey.
“For over 115 years and four generations, our family has sought to make the best quality product for our customers,” said EP Henry’s fourth-generation CEO JC Henry. “Now, with Solidia, we’re making concrete products that are not only better for our customers, but also better for the planet. I have seen the future, and it is Solidia.”
About EP Henry
EP Henry is the premier family-owned and operated manufacturer of unit concrete products in North America. The company supplies Hardscaping™ – a term it coined – and architectural concrete masonry products, all of which are 100 percent American-made, to homeowners and businesses. Headquartered in Woodbury, NJ, EP Henry was founded in 1903.
About Solidia Technologies®
Based in Piscataway, N.J. (USA), Solidia Technologies® is a cement and concrete technology company that makes it easy and profitable to use CO2 to create superior and sustainable building and construction materials. Solidia’s investors include Kleiner Perkins, Bright Capital, BASF, BP, LafargeHolcim, Total Energy Ventures, Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) Climate Investments, Air Liquide, Bill Joy and other private investors. Honors include: the 2019 Solar Impulse Efficient Solution; 2018 and 2019 BP Advancing Low Carbon accreditation; 2017 ERA Grand Challenge (formerly CCEMC) Second Round Finalist, 2016 Sustainia 100; 2015 NJBiz Business of the Year; 2014 Global Cleantech 100; 2013 R&D Top 100; 2014 Best Place to Work in NJ; 2014 CCEMC Grand Challenge First Round finalist; 2013 Katerva Award finalist; and MIT’s Climate CoLab shortlist. Follow Solidia at www.solidiatech.com and on LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter: @SolidiaCO2.
