KIBECO RECO is an innovative concrete solution that can save on cement without compromising on performance thanks to Annex ND of SN EN 206:2013+A2:2021. This concrete contains recycled Swiss aggregate and permanently stores carbon dioxide, which is bound by the Neustark process. KIBECO RECO meets all standard-relevant quality criteria and can be recycled without releasing CO₂. This typ of concrete is currently the lowest-emission solution on the market.

In contrast to conventional concrete, KIBECO RECO contains up to 100 kg/m³ less cement, over 6kg/m³ of stored CO₂ and recycled aggregate. With KIBECO RECO, you can achieve a 35% lower CO₂ footprint than with conventional concrete.

Thanks to cement savings of up to 100 kg/m³ and CO₂ storage of ≥ 6 kg/m³ through CO₂ sequestration, KIBECO RECO reduces the CO₂ footprint by 35%. In addition, ≥26% recycled aggregate is used.

Concrete granules obtained from the demolition of buildings are treated with carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere. Through the so-called mineralization, the CO2 is permanently bound in crystalline form. The concrete granulate treated in this way is added to the fresh concrete as a gravel substitute.

With the neustark process, at least 6 kg of climate-damaging CO₂ per cubic meter of fresh concrete can be permanently stored.

A comparison: To absorb one ton of CO₂, a beech tree has to grow for around 80 years (source: co2online/carbon-connect). In addition, the trees may be burned at the end of their lives and the CO₂ bound in the tree over the years is released again. In contrast, the mineralization of CO₂ in the concrete granulate using the neustark process guarantees permanent CO₂ storage.

In general, the CO₂ used industrially in Switzerland comes from abroad. We do it differently. We obtain 100% of our CO₂ from the Swiss atmosphere. The CO₂ is extracted from the atmosphere by a biogenic process at the WWTP Region Bern in Herrenschwanden. The CO₂ is then delivered to our production site in a climate-neutral manner by biogas-powered trucks.

When a concrete wall is exposed to air, the carbon dioxide [CO₂] reacts with the calcium compounds in the cement phases [Ca(OH)2] to form calcite crystals [calcium carbonate, CaCO3]. Thus, CO₂ is permanently bound (mineralized) in the crystals. This naturally occurring reaction, also known as "natural mineralization" or "carbonation", is well-known in the construction industry and is accelerated and multiplied in the process developed by neustark.

The CO₂ uptake of at least 6 kg per ton of concrete granulate is measured and documented in the method developed by neustark using both a CO₂ flow measurement and a scale, whereby the two independent measurement methods reliably lead to the same measurement result.

No. The reinforcement rusts in installed concrete because the concrete becomes more acidic during natural mineralization, which reduces the pH value. Carbonation by the neustark process takes place before the granules are mixed with cement and water. The pH value thus remains the same as for non-mineralized concrete.

Thanks to the optimized material properties of KIBECO RECO, we do not achieve excess compressive strength. This means that reinforcement can be reduced, which cuts material costs.

A natural process

The main component of cement is calcium oxide [CaO]. It is extracted from limestone, which essentially consists of calcite crystals [calcium carbonate, CaCO3]. The limestone is fired in the cement plant at around 1,400°C, which releasesCO2 : the calcium oxide [CaO] remains and is further processed into cement products. The cement is then mixed with water, gravel and sand to form concrete.

CaCO3 --> CaO + CO2

Now, when a concrete wall is exposed to air, the carbon dioxide gas [CO2] from the air naturally reacts with the calcium compounds in the cement phase [CaO]. Calcite crystals [calcium carbonate, CaCO3] form in the fine pores and cracks, which can permanently bind CO2 . So the natural reversal of the above reaction occurs.

CaO + CO2 --> CaCO3

However, this is a slow process. During the lifetime of a building, only the few millimeters on the surface of the concrete surfaces are carbonated.

PermanentCO2 sequestration

Through the formation of the crystals (mineralization), CO2 is permanently bound. This naturally occurring reaction is known in the construction industry as carbonation and is accelerated and multiplied in concrete granules in the process developed by Neustark.

KIBECO building materials are therefore permanent and sustainable CO 2 storage materials and can also be recycled or further treated in the next generation without risking CO2 elimination.

No increased risk of corrosion of the reinforcement

Carbonation by the Neustark process takes place before the concrete granules are mixed with cement and water. The pH value thus remains the same as that of non-mineralized concrete. Thus, the risk of corrosion remains the same as with conventional concrete.

The CO₂ storage fills cavities in the recycled granulate, making the material denser. This not only improves the material properties, but also leads to a higher modulus of elasticity, which is comparable to that of primary concrete.

Thanks to the targeted coordination of the aggregate and the use of recyclable fillers, our RECO concretes achieve a particularly high packing density. This reduces cement and water requirements, improves workability and increases durability - a key lever for CO₂-optimized construction in accordance with Annex ND.

Reduced cement content brings advantages. The lower the final strength, the smaller the crack widths, which makes it possible to reduce the minimum structural reinforcement and thus save both emissions and costs.

By using the optimized concrete in accordance with Annex ND of SN EN 206:2013+A2:2021, up to 100 kg/m³ of cement can be saved. This means that CO₂ emissions can be reduced by 35% without changing the material properties.

KIBECO RECO200 and RECO300 can be used in all areas where conventional structural concretes are used.

KIBECO RECO is produced like conventional concrete in the concrete plant and delivered to the construction site with a truck mixer. It is placed in the formwork and cured as usual. No additional training is required for construction company personnel.

Where possible, delivery is carried out using electric truck mixers to reduce transport emissions. The use of an electric truck mixer saves over 12 kg of CO₂ equivalent per 100 tonne-kilometres. That is over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions.

-          KIBECO RECO200: NPK B, C25/30, Dmax_32 or 16

-        KIBECO RECO300: NPK C, C30/37, Dmax_32 or16

KIBECO RECO is already available in all regions via KIBAG. For detailed information and orders, you can contact us directly .

The price difference varies depending on the project and requirements. For detailed information and orders, you can contact us directly.