Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs)

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are finely ground mineral compounds that, when used with or as a partial replacement for Portland cement, contribute to the strength, durability, and overall performance of concrete. SCMs react chemically with calcium hydroxide released during cement hydration to form additional calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), the main binding phase in concrete. Common examples include fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), silica fume, and natural pozzolans. By replacing a portion of energy-intensive cement clinker, SCMs significantly lower the embodied carbon of concrete while often improving its durability and long-term strength. This process yields four distinct output streams: activated cement paste that can serve as a binder substitute, recycled coarse aggregates, recycled fine aggregates, and a fine inert filler. By reactivating the cement paste—usually lost or downcycled—Everox enables high-grade reuse of concrete waste rather than simple aggregate recycling.