BASF launches MasterEase: A new groundbreaking admixture range for low-viscosity concrete

• New MasterEase product range for superior rheology of high performance concrete

• Low viscosity and concrete mix stability facilitate pumping and placing of concrete

• Optimizes the concrete mix design and allows reduction of CO2 footprint

As global leader in concrete admixtures the Master Builders Solutions® experts have developed a new generation of polymers bringing a significant improvement in the rheological properties of concrete. Advanced concrete mixes often demonstrate a higher viscosity due to their low water contents. Although having a high level of workability, the concrete often appears harsh, sticky and therefore difficult to pump and process. This is especially true for engineering concrete with low water/cement ratios optimized towards having a low environmental impact.

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To overcome these challenges BASF has developed MasterEase, a new admixture range developed for low-viscosity concrete, and will present this innovation at the ERMCO (European Ready Mix Concrete Organization) Congress in Istanbul.

With the new technology, plastic viscosity can be reduced by up to 30%, which results in a substantial reduction of pumping pressure required to pump the concrete on the construction site. Placing and finishing of the concrete is much easier, faster and hence more economic than using standard concrete. “Innovation is what drives our business. With our new products we want to meet our customers’ needs, contribute to their success and strengthen our connectedness. This is the force behind MasterEase,” says Ralf Spettmann, President Construction Chemicals.

“The new admixture technology enabling these properties is being made available globally under the brand of MasterEase,” explains David Bowerman, Regional Business Segment Manager for Orient, Russia and Africa. “Ease stands for easiness of mixing, pumping, placing, leveling and finishing of concrete. After pioneering concrete technology with market leading products like MasterGlenium and Master X-Seed we are proud to present another groundbreaking innovation from Master Builders Solutions to the concrete industry”.

Flexible and adaptable with improved workability retention

Concrete producers and users benefit in many ways from the new technology: It is flexible and can be adapted to challenging situations such as temperature variations. Moreover, the high level of rheology and workability retention minimizes the risk of jobsite addition of water: “This is a real added value for the contractors in terms of concrete durability,” explains Jan Klügge, Head of Marketing Ready Mix Europe. “The concrete is easy to place, trowel and pump. Utilizing this concrete saves time and cost in every single construction project, it improves the utilization of the transportation fleet and equipment and reduces the wear of mixers, pumps and pipelines.” In addition, the possibility to reduce mixing water even further without impacting the concrete rheology, opens new possibilities for improvement in concrete mix designs: Less water in concrete mixes implies higher performance and better durability.

“We already started to supply the new technology to the first construction projects. The feedback from the field is overwhelming,” says Jan Klügge.

The new technology is particularly suitable for concrete mixes which are optimized for advanced engineering properties and sustainability: The Green Sense Concrete concept from Master Builders Solutions. High strength concrete with low water/cement ratios, as well as mixes with higher levels of secondary cementitious materials, reduce the CO2 footprint and are easier to produce and place. This helps engineers and investors to improve sustainability ratings of their projects.

Starting in Europe and the Middle East this technology will be globally available as MasterEase 3000 series for ready mix and site mix concrete applications.