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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cLC\u00b3 has the potential to transform cement production across Africa,\u201d Mabaso-Mlalazi argues. \u201cHowever, this requires that we manage the variability and performance of clay holistically – from raw material selection through to final concrete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She highlights that Chryso has invested heavily in research and development into LC\u00b3 solutions – analysing over 30 calcined clays to characterise variability in mineralogy, fineness, reactivity and water demand. The company has developed advanced testing methodologies, including a proprietary clay test to assess polymer intercalation and its impact on admixture efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClays have a high affinity for water but we don\u2019t want excess water in concrete because it compromises strength,\u201d she explains. \u201cManaging that balance therefore becomes critical to the application and scalability of LC\u00b3.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This challenge is closely linked to rheology, or how the material flows, and ultimately impacts both workability and strength development. In addition, interactions between clay particles and chemical admixtures – particularly superplasticisers – can reduce admixture efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere clay absorbs the admixture, much higher dosage may be needed to achieve the same effect,\u201d Mabaso-Mlalazi explains. \u201cThis has cost implications for producers, so should be avoided.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leveraging this insight, Chryso designs tailored polymer chemistries and specialised product ranges to stabilise performance, control rheology and optimise strength development. Its work bridges laboratory research and industrial application, enabling customised, cost effective solutions that support consistent, scalable adoption of LC\u00b3 across diverse raw material conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndustry is now transitioning from research to industrial deployment, so the need for practical, scalable solutions is becoming increasingly urgent,\u201d she says. \u201cThis was highlighted once again at the International Conference on Calcined Clays for Sustainable Concrete (ICCCSC 2026) held earlier this year in Cape Town, which called for more collaboration and real-world implementation support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chryso Southern Africa is well positioned to meet this need, combining global R&D expertise with local application knowledge, she argues. By addressing the technical complexities of LC\u00b3 – particularly its variability, rheology and admixture interaction – the company is enabling producers to adopt low clinker systems with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy doing this, Chryso is not only supporting decarbonisation targets, but also helping to build a more resilient and sustainable construction ecosystem for Africa,\u201d Mabaso-Mlalazi says. \u201cWe make the technology easier to use, more reliable and more affordable, which will ultimately enable the scaling up of LC\u00b3.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Abundant deposits of clay across Africa make limestone calcined clay cement (LC\u00b3) a popular lower carbon option for the continent and Chryso Southern Africa is finding innovative solutions to the challenges posed by clay variability. While South Africa has access to traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash and slag, most African countries need … Continue reading CHRYSO R&D ALLOWS SCALED ROLLOUT OF CALCINED CLAY CEMENT<\/span> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n