Building materials resources: Our top 2024 highlights
Change and innovation are coming at a fast pace in the building materials industry, driven by the need to shift to more environmentally friendly practices. We want to help industry researchers and professionals stay up to date with the latest events, trends, and analytical solutions – read on for a recap of our 2024 highlights!
New, cutting-edge instruments…
In 2024, we launched two new-generation instruments:
The Mastersizer 3000+, equipped with the latest laser diffraction technology and intelligent software features, helps even novice users in remote excavation and production plants perform reliable and accurate particle size measurements.Learn more about it here.
Revontium™ is the world’s first compact X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, delivering the power of a floor-standing instrument but at a lower cost of purchase and operation. Its compact format makes it easy to implement in any lab, or even at-line. Learn more about it here.
… And exciting events!
This year, we were pleased to attend two important trade shows in India and Europe: the 18th NCB International Conference & Exhibition on Cement, Concrete and Building Materials in New Delhi, and the first EnviroTech Conference and Exhibition in Lisbon.
We met with customers and discussed how our instruments, such as the CNA Pentos, Aeris, and Twin Zetium-Aeris, can help modernize plant designs, increase cost-effectiveness, and lower emissions.
1. CNA Pentos & Smart Blend: High-throughput, real-time, safe elemental analysis
Empowered with Smart Blend software, the CNA Pentos maintains the consistency and quality of your raw materials, reduces your carbon emissions, and automates blending control for stockpiles and raw mix. Discover it in this video.
The CNA Pentos provides real-time insights into material composition right from the belt. Its flexibility in calibration accommodates a wide range of materials, and it’s user-friendly too – so maintenance is always quick, safe, and easy.
Learn more about the CNA Pentos in this brochure and this case study from Ciments Vigier in Switzerland.
2. Aeris & the 1Der detector: Easy-to-use and future-proof XRD
Direct mineralogical probing using X-ray diffraction (XRD) allows manufacturers to monitor and control both the purity and quality of cement and its intermediates.
Aeris provides plug-and-play simplicity: users don’t need a background in XRD to get high-quality, reproducible results. Discover it in this video.
Aeris’ modular design also makes upgrades and additions a breeze, ensuring peace of mind for the future. For example, the 1Der detector improves the instrument’s signal-to-noise ratio. This allows Aeris to deliver speed, reliability, and ease of use for measurements of any sample, including supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).
Learn more about Aeris in this application note and this webinar.
3. Twin Zetium-Aeris: Analytical precision meets automation
XRD and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) are crucial techniques in cement manufacturing. They provide phase identification & quantification and elemental analysis, respectively – both of which help manufacturers control their emissions and lower costs.
The Twin Zetium-Aeris combines the Zetium and Aeris instruments through an automated sample handling and conveyor belt system. Discover it in this video.
Discover our building materials blog series
- How borate fusion optimizes XRF sample preparation: Find out more about the benefits of borate fusion compared to pressed pellets, and discover the instruments that make this sample preparation fast, safe, and easy to use.
- Streamlining cleaner cement production with elemental analysis: Learn more about our portfolio of in-lab, at-line, and on-line elemental analysis instruments.
- Improve cement sustainability with XRD: Take a closer look at XRD and how mineralogical analysis supports the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to produce green cement.
- How particle sizing boosts cement quality sustainably: Find out why particle sizing is a powerful addition to the cement manufacturer’s analytical arsenal.
Looking forward: More to come in 2025
Next year, we’ll keep sharing news and insights concerning the building materials industry. Follow our Building Materials LinkedIn page to receive the latest updates, and check out our building materials page for more resources!
If you have any questions about the instruments and topics discussed in this blog, please get in touch with our experts.