Port of Rotterdam Authority trials the use of cement-free concrete in the maritime environment

In the Eemhaven, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is conducting a trial with geopolymer concrete. That is a collective name for concrete that does not contain cement. This is the first time that this type of concrete is being tested in a maritime environment. Replacing cement leads to lower CO₂ emissions from the concrete, by 50% in this case. The use of geopolymer concrete helps lower the Port Authority’s CO₂ footprint.

In the Eemhaven, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is conducting a trial with geopolymer concrete. That is a collective name for concrete that does not contain cement. This is the first time that this type of concrete is being tested in a maritime environment. Replacing cement leads to lower CO₂ emissions from the concrete, by 50% in this case. The use of geopolymer concrete helps lower the Port Authority’s CO₂ footprint.

The trial is in line with the Port Authority’s policy to develop the port sustainably. The Port Authority maintains 80 kilometres of quay walls and 200 kilometres of slopes. Of these, some quay walls have been earmarked for replacement.

Sqape technology

The use of reinforced geopolymer concrete in a saltwater, maritime environment is new. The cement in this concrete has been replaced by a different binder, resulting in 50% lower CO₂ emissions than traditional concrete. The Port Authority developed the concrete mix for this with ‘Innovative Sqape technology – SQAPE’. The trial involved pouring formwork for a quay wall structure and a number of beams with this new type of concrete.

At the end of 2023, the Port Authority wants to use this concrete in a quay wall at the Tweede Petroleumhaven. The performance of the concrete in the quay wall will be monitored over the coming years.

By way of this trial, the Port Authority wants to gain experience with some practical aspects of the pouring, finishing and formwork removal of this type of concrete. The ambition is to use this type of concrete in the future to reduce the Port Authority’s CO₂ footprint.