Heidelberg and Italcementi set up photocatalytic JV

HeidelbergCement and Italcementi have signed an agreement that will see the two companies jointly develop photocatalytic products. Photocatalytic cements use a special binder that destroys pollutants in the presence of light, making them both self-cleaning and pollution reducing.

Under the terms of the agreement Italcementi will grant Heidelberg Cement a 10-year license to use patents relating to its TX Active photoactive cement and photocatalytic binders in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK, and for five years in certain states of Canada and the US.

The agreement also provides for HeidelbergCement and Italcementi to set up a joint technical research programme to define criteria and standards for potential application of photocatalytic products, establishing a European standard. The two companies hope to establish TX Active as the benchmark brand for cement-based photocatalytic products.

Commenting on the agreement Dr Bernd Scheifele, chairman Heidelberg's Management Board said, "We are convinced that cement-based photocatalytic products will be a big success. Our new TioCem cement developed under the TX Active seal is the result of a nearly four year research project by HeidelbergCement which involved scientists from Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and German. In combining our strengths with Italcementi in a field that also offers innovative solutions addressing environmental issues, we confirm our commitment to sustainable development."