@Green November/December 2023 | Page 27

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER . 2023 | @ green

COP28

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By partnering with existing industry players , Maleki GmbH aims to integrate its eco-binder technology into mainstream construction practices seamlessly . “ Everyone in the value chain wins .” Maleki GmbH ’ s commitment to sustainability is not at the expense of performance .
Mathias Gelber , a representative of Maleki GmbH , highlighted : “ The philosophy of Maleki GmbH has always been to combine sustainability and decarbonisation with optimised technical performance .”
Maleki GmbH ’ s eco binder technology has received recognition in terms of its performance through certifications , such as the OS8 certificate which is an epoxy standard in Germany , which is a testament to its quality .
This certification positions Maleki GmbH ’ s products as environmentally friendly and meeting high performance and safety standards . “ To our knowledge , there is no mineral based mortar system which is able to pass such a standard to date ,” says Soh .
Soh shared a specific project example . “ We have qualified for a project for the refurbishment of the car parks in Dusseldorf Airport .”
While specific projects are confidential , Maleki GmbH continues to make strides in transforming the construction industry on a global scale .
Foyer Baustoff- Firma OS .
EXPLORING THE SCIENCE BEHIND MALEKI GMBH ’ S ECO BINDER
To understand Maleki GmbH ’ s unique activation technology for its eco binder , we delve into the historical roots of construction materials .
Soh highlighted the technology that inspired Maleki GmbH ’ s approach .
“ What the Romans did before has been lost technology . There are buildings which are more than a thousand years old and still standing until today .”
From left to right : Datuk Francis Wong , Mina Basiri ( CEO ), Willie Go , Rowan Soh , Hossein Maleki ( Main Founder ), and Matthias Gelber ( Co Founder ).
GEOPOLYMER CEMENT : THE RUSSIAN INFLUENCE
In the 1970s , the Russians introduced geopolymer cement , a precursor to Maleki GmbH ’ s eco-binder technology .
Soh explained : “ The Russians came up with something called geopolymer cement , which uses the same thing , pozzolanic material .”
However , Maleki GmbH departs from the Russian approach , which uses Alkaline , by utilising water as the principal activation agent making the process safer and more practical for construction sites .
CRYSTALLISATION V HEAT OF HYDRATION
While OPC and Maleki GmbH ’ s eco binder utilise water , the mechanisms differ .
Soh distinguished the processes , stating : “ What you get from OPC is heat of hydration , whereas in our case , it ’ s called crystallisation .”
This nuanced difference in chemical reactions results in a binder material that rivals traditional cement but with significantly reduced carbon emissions .
BEYOND CARBON REDUCTION
Maleki GmbH ’ s eco-binder technology not only reduces carbon emissions but also offers a level of control unprecedented in construction materials .
Gelber elaborated : “ With our binder system , we can control many aspects of the material such as workability time , setting time , compressive strength etc .”
Unlike the challenges faced in accelerating or controlling the curing process of conventional cement , Maleki GmbH ’ s technology provides a high degree of flexibility especially in areas where temperatures are
Cloppenburg Büros .
below 10 Celsius or above 30 where OPC begins to face issues .
One of the key advantages of this newfound control is the acceleration of construction timelines .
Gelber provided a real-world example : “ We can control it in such a way that one hour after application , the thing is fully cured .”
This remarkable application speed can revolutionise construction projects , minimising the need for curing chambers , reducing energy consumption , and streamlining the construction process .
The ability to control the curing process extends beyond speed , offering savings in energy and resources . This efficiency contributes to cost savings and aligns with Maleki GmbH ’ s commitment to sustainable practices by minimising material waste .
As Maleki GmbH continues to lead the charge in sustainable construction , Soh extended an invitation . “ If there is anybody out there , especially dry mortar companies who would like to switch their current product line to ours , we are more than
happy to find a way to work together .”
The goal is clear : to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly building materials and pave the way for a greener , more sustainable future .
Maleki GmbH ’ s eco-binder technology represents a paradigm shift in the construction industry . By addressing the environmental impact of conventional cement while delivering superior performance , Maleki GmbH emerges as a trailblazer in sustainable construction .
As the industry continues to seek innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions , Maleki GmbH ’ s invitation to collaborate stands as a beacon , urging stakeholders to join hands in building a greener and more sustainable future . – @ Green
Maleki office in Germany .