LOTTE Construction announced on the 15th that it has developed a next-generation admixture to improve the compressive strength and workability of concrete in collaboration with LOTTE Chemical and Silkroad CNT.
This research was conducted in accordance with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's policy to revise quality and standard specifications for enhancing the safety of construction structures. LOTTE Construction, LOTTE Chemical, and Silkroad CNT successfully converted the main raw material for the admixture, EOA (Ethylene Oxide Adduct), from VPEG (Vinyl-Polyethylene Glycol) to the new material EPEG (Epoxy-Polyethylene Glycol), marking the first success in South Korea. Admixtures are essential additives that enhance the durability and strength of concrete.
The next-generation admixture developed through this project improves the viscosity of concrete before it hardens, making it easier to handle, and it is noted by LOTTE Construction to significantly facilitate work in complex shapes or narrow spaces. Additionally, this admixture improves compressive strength by more than 10% compared to existing admixtures, resulting in a decrease of approximately 10% in water usage during concrete production.
In particular, as the importance of quality control on construction sites has been increasingly emphasized recently, it is expected that the demand from ready-mixed concrete and construction companies will be met, allowing for market expansion. The next-generation admixture is planned to be expanded to all sites of LOTTE Construction starting in the second half of this year.
The head of LOTTE Construction's technology research institute said, 'Through the development of this admixture, we expect to enhance work efficiency on construction sites and improve workability.' He further stated, 'We will continuously develop technology to strengthen our competitiveness, aiming to become a construction company that provides the highest quality to our customers.'