Grace Launches Chemical Solution Focused on Increasing Productivity for Construction Aggregate Producers

Grace Construction Products, a business segment of W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA), announces today the Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) launch of a chemical solution that enables increased productivity for construction aggregate producers. By relying on Grace, customers can achieve higher utilization of their available resources through a variety of methods, including: reducing waste, utilizing marginal materials and reducing reliance on washing of manufactured sands. These sustainable benefits make the new offering attractive to construction aggregate producers and the broader construction industry.

"Grace is very proud to offer this innovative solution to the aggregate industry," explains Jens Ebinghaus, Vice President and General Manager, EMEAI, Grace Construction Products. "Our deep understanding of the concrete value chain, from raw materials to finished products, in addition to our technological know-how enable Grace to deliver these benefits."

The initial chemical solution, the first in a series of chemistries under development, allows customers to increase their use of manufactured sands. The chemical is specially-formulated to mitigate the harmful impact of clay in manufactured sands, when the sands are used to produce concrete or road construction materials. After treatment with the Grace chemical solution, these sands can be used without adversely affecting the final product's performance characteristics. The technology is currently being tested for benefits with coarse aggregate products and natural sands as well.

"This breakthrough technology helps us address our customers' desire for greater productivity and product performance through the use of manufactured sands," remarked Leon Bablouzian, Director, Custom Aggregate Solutions, Grace Construction Products. "Reducing the use of natural sands, or removing the need for them, further enhances the sustainability of the quarry and concrete industries."

Manufactured sands are generated from gravel or crushed stone, and are variable in quality, angular in shape and contain other contaminated materials. As a result, the use of manufactured sands in concrete production is hindered if they are not treated. As natural sands are becoming increasingly scarce, the use of manufactured sands is growing globally.