8 New Products for the Concrete Contractor

New products are introduced to the concrete contractor all the time. Whether these are announced as an updated solution, a brand new tool, or new equipment to be used on a jobsite, these products found a problem and have been specifically designed to address it.

These products as published in the January/February 2025 issue of Concrete Contractor.

Euclid Chemical VERSASPEED RMC Concrete Repair Mortar

Euclid Chemical has launched VERSASPEED RMC, a fast-setting, one-component, cementitious repair mortar that is shrinkage compensated, pozzolan and microfiber modified. It contains an integral corrosion inhibitor. The new product is designed for horizontal and formed vertical repairs as well as overhead structural repairs. Appropriate for applications from 1 in. to full depth where a fast return to service is required, the non-metallic and non-staining material is designed for projects that require repairs on sloped grades. Applications include parking decks, joint repairs, balconies, equipment bases, pavements, beams and vertical and overhead formed repairs. Due to its rapid hardening, this concrete repair mortar allows users to strip forms the same day and it can be coated five hours after the final setting. VERSASPEED RMC meets ASTM C928 Standard Specification for Rapid-Hardening Cementitious Materials for Concrete Repairs requirements and is packaged in 50-lb. bags that yield 0.37 ft.³ per bag when mixed with 4.25 pints of water.

RPX Technologies & binni Data Transparency Collaboration

RPX Technologies and binni have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing data transparency in concrete construction operations. This development combines RPX Technologies' concrete monitoring sensors with binni's data management platform, offering stakeholders insights into concrete operations. The integration of RPX Technologies' InSite concrete sensors with the binni Concrete platform provides construction teams a view of their projects. This collaboration allows for real-time data synchronization, resource allocation and informed decision making.

Doka DokaXact Load & Pressure Sensors for Concrete Pouring

Doka has released DokaXact Load and Pressure sensors, enabling real-time monitoring of the concrete pouring process. DokaXact sensors are tough, waterproof and dustproof and can be connected to the user's smartphone via Bluetooth. DokaXact Load offers a solution for monitoring formwork loads. The sensors are designed for installation on standard tie systems, providing reliable data on tie loads. No special tools or major installation work required. The DokaXact pressure sensor is designed for monitoring fresh concrete pressure. It can be mounted directly on plywood and requires only a 26 mm hole. The data from both sensors is visualized in real time in the DokaXact app. The user interface allows for simple and independent operation from a smartphone. The DokaXact web portal also provides detailed information and transparent project documentation. The DokaXact sensors are designed for use in the energy sector, in residential or commercial construction and in projects with anchor loads or high, single-sided walls or pillars.

GatorBar Grip #5 Composite Rebar

GatorBar has announced the expansion of GatorBar Grip production to include #5 sized composite rebar. The #5 GatorBar Grip, GatorBar's new sliver-free product, is available for order with delivery through its network of distribution and wholesale partners. GatorBar is a glass fiber reinforced composite rebar (GFRP), made 100% in the United States, that offers:

• ICC structurally approved, composite rebar
• 2x stronger in tensile strength than steel
• 4-7x lighter in weight than steel
• Zero slivers
• Zero rust

GRABO Pro-Lifter 20 Portable Electric Vacuum Lifting Device

The GRABO Pro-Lifter 20 is a tool for lifting heavy objects, materials and equipment. This portable electric vacuum suction cup features a smart digital pressure sensor, digital display and smart settings for weight and pressure. When used properly, it can lift a slab of flat, solid material. The technology powering the suction cup automatically activates the vacuum pump, maintaining optimal pressure and performance while eliminating guesswork. With an airflow of 20 liters per minute, the GRABO Pro offers heavy-duty lifting capacity, capable of handling surfaces weighing up to 375 lbs. (170 kg). This tool is powered by a rechargeable battery. A small electronic display on the handle allows operators to monitor the status of the device. Four tabs on the handle can be used to secure straps, hooks, chains or ropes. The lifting tool is designed for stone pavers, concrete, boxes, compressed sand, glass, drywall, tiles and more.

Gerdau Graphene NanoCONS Line of Graphene Admixtures for Concrete

The NanoCONS line of admixtures enables concrete producers to leverage the physical properties of graphene to support the mechanical performance of their concrete products. Graphene, a 2D carbon nanomaterial, is 100-300 times stronger in terms of tensile strength than structural steel. The integration of NanoCONS into cementitious materials may also reduce carbon emissions associated with concrete production. NanoCONS can help reduce cement consumption without any loss of concrete performance, thereby contributing to more sustainable concrete production.

The first product in the NanoCONS line, NanoCONS W104, is a water-based graphene nanoplate admixture that can be applied to cementitious matrices such as cement pastes, mortars and concretes to support physical properties such as durability, mechanical strength, impermeability and other desired performance attributes.

NanoCONS W104 was developed for application in precast concrete and offers precast concrete producers:

• Improves the compressive strength performance of concrete by up to 50% in industrial testing
• Dispersed in the mixing water during concrete production and can contribute to reducing water consumption by 10% to 20% while maintaining the same workability
• Improves the microstructure of concrete by reducing its porosity and susceptibility to deleterious agents (like CO₂ and chloride ingress)
• Increase the speed of concrete setting time by an average of 30%

Milwaukee Tool MX FUEL Walk Behind Trowels

Milwaukee Tool has expanded the MX FUEL category with the release of the MX FUEL 600 mm Walk Behind Edging Trowel and the MX FUEL 900 mm Walk Behind Power Trowel. The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers control with a maximum blade speed of 130 rpm for the MXF WBT90 and 160 rpm for the MXF WBT60 and an ergonomic throttle design. Both trowels provide a smooth finishing experience with 5 hp of performance. The MX FUEL 600 mm Walk Behind Edging Trowel delivers up to 35 minutes of runtime per charge on full speed with a MX FUEL FORGE 12.0 Ah battery. The MX FUEL 900 mm Walk Behind Edging Trowel delivers up to 25 minutes of runtime per charge on full speed with a MX FUEL FORGE 12.0 Ah battery. Both trowels feature AUTOSTOP for user protection. The handlebar height is adjustable and a fine pitch dial enables users to make blade pitch adjustments. A lift hook supports maneuverability on the jobsite. ONE-KEY tool tracking and security offers a free-of-charge cloud-based tracking network and inventory management platform for tools. ONE-KEY also features a remote locking functionality.

Carbon Limit CoolCrete Concrete Additive

Carbon Limit has announced the debut of CoolCrete, a heat-reducing product addition to its line of sustainable concrete additives. Carbon Limit has partnered with NCP Industries (NCP) and Bison Innovative Products (Bison) as licensing affiliates to launch a new series of architectural design products incorporating CoolCrete technology, bringing the product to commercial and residential projects worldwide. CoolCrete is a functional Supplementary Cementitious Material that reduces the overall carbon footprint of concrete by up to 40% through replacing a portion of conventional cement that is emissions-intensive. The versatile additive achieves temperature reduction through solar reflectance and thermal emittance. CoolCrete also increases concrete's ability to reflect sunlight, reducing overall heat absorption while releasing absorbed heat. CoolCrete is designed to directly combat the ongoing heat crisis and Urban Heat Island Effect.