New concrete admixture for difficult sands

Clay containing fine aggregates were once regarded as unsuitable for the production of high-quality concrete. However, this is no longer the case. With the new MasterSuna SBS concrete admixture from Master Builders Solutions portfolio, it is now possible to convert difficult sands into a valuable resource.

Thanks to MasterSuna SBS, the concrete producer BRONZO PERASSO in Marseille, France, no longer needs to transport sand from remote sites. That reduces sand and transportation costs, and saves up to 25 tons of CO2 per year.

MasterSuna SBS now makes it possible to use existing deposits to a much greater extent. Furthermore, the washing and pretreatment of local aggregates can also be reduced thereby increasing the economic value of the quarry.

“Approximately 10% of our fine aggregate could not be used to produce high-quality concrete due to its high clay content.”

Stéphane Martin, Head of Technical Department, Quarries and Materials, BRONZO PERASSO

BRONZO PERASSO, Marseille, France

The French concrete producer BRONZO PERASSO operates three quarries in the Marseille area. The list of reference buildings is impressive and includes the Vélodrome soccer stadium and the Rocade L2 freeway in Marseille. However, there is one challenge: “Approximately 10% of our fine aggregate is ‘difficult’ and could not be used to produce high-quality concrete due to its high clay content,” explains Stéphane Martin, Head of Technical Department, Quarries and Materials at BRONZO PERASSO. “To make up for the lost material, we had to bring in fine aggregates from another quarry, resulting in higher production costs and more transportation.” The Master Builders Solutions team carried out intensive research to find a solution. They presented MasterSuna SBS, a concrete admixture with an innovative molecular structure. MasterSuna SBS converts fine aggregates contaminated with clay into a useful raw material, allowing it to adjust concrete mix designs accordingly.

Quantified Sustainable Benefits

Using the innovative technology of MasterSuna SBS, BRONZO PERASSO achieved significant Quantified Sustainable Benefits at their Sainte-Marthe quarry in Marseille, including:

35%

Reduction in sand costs

As all fine aggregates can be utilized, no alternative materials have to be purchased and stored to meet requirements for the production of high-quality concrete. This saves money.*Figures provided are based on an actual case from the concrete producer BRONZO PERASSO in Marseille, France

25-ton

Reduction in CO2 emissions per year

As it is no longer necessary to transport any sand.*Figures provided are based on an actual case from the concrete producer BRONZO PERASSO in Marseille, France

Zero

Sand transportation

With MasterSuna SBS, no additional fine aggregates need to be transported from remote sites, and the number of truck trips on the road is therefore reduced. This contributes to increased road safety and environmental sustainability.*Figures provided are based on an actual case from the concrete producer BRONZO PERASSO in Marseille, France

“Thanks to MasterSuna SBS, we no longer have unsuitable fine aggregates.”

Stéphane Martin, Head of Technical Department, Quarries and Materials, BRONZO PERASSO

At the Sainte-Marthe quarry, MasterSuna SBS adds value to 12,000 metric tons of local sand per annum and reduces the overall costs by 35%. “Thanks to MasterSuna SBS, we no longer have unsuitable fine aggregates. We can process 100% of the fine aggregates, which extends the service life of the quarry,” explains Stéphane Martin. In addition to the economic advantage, there is also an ecological benefit. “MasterSuna SBS has allowed us to reduce our environmental footprint with regards to transportation, as we no longer need to bring in fine aggregates from alternative sites,” says Stéphane Martin. “This means that we can reduce the number of trucks traveling to the Marseille area by 1,000 per year.”

“MasterSuna SBS means the most efficient use of available resources.”

Anthony Binet, Area Manager South East for Admixtures, Master Builders Solutions France

Anthony Binet, Area Manager South East for Admixtures, Master Builders Solutions France, was involved in the development of MasterSuna SBS from the very beginning. “The MasterSuna SBS concept was developed by us with support from the BRONZO PERASSO Group regarding sand specifications and field testing. It is great to see that we found a solution to handle difficult sands and that we could overcome this challenge in close cooperation with our customer,” he says. “MasterSuna SBS makes it possible to use existing stocks to a much greater extent.” As the washing and pretreatment of local sands in a quarry can be minimized, its value is increased. At the same time, the number of new sand quarries to be developed can be reduced. “MasterSuna SBS means the most efficient use of available resources,” states Anthony Binet.