UrbaX

UrbaX is part of the Learning Expedition (LEX), organized by the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (FCCS) in collaboration with WinLab'- L'incubateur du CCCA-BTP. This event is part of the France-Singapore year of sustainability and will take place from July 8th to 11th, 2024. Jerome Enrico Lombardi (Ph.D.) made a presentation of the UrbaX technology for sustainable construction materials developed at the NUS Centre for Advanced 2D Materials (CA2DM).

Did you know that desert sand cannot be used in Portland-based concrete? Desert sand is one of the cheapest and most plentiful resources in the planet but because of its smooth surface, round shape and uniform size distribution, it does not bind well to Portland concrete. In fact, most of the sand used in construction today comes from rivers and, hence, leading to high environmental impact. At UrbaX we have created a new type of cement that can also bind to desert sand leading to a strong and fine concrete of high performance (see photo below). The new UrbaX concrete made out of desert sand uses a natural resource that has been untapped in construction: desert sand. This technological progress not only reduces cost and opens a unexplored market but also has a significance in reducing the environmental impact of sand mining. UrbaX: Building the world sustainably. #greencement #greenconcrete #constructionmaterials #sand #desertsand #sustainablefuture

2024 celebrates 200 years of the invention of Portland concrete. Despite being one of the greatest inventions of mankind, Portland concrete is one of the biggest polluters of our era. The search for alternatives to Portland's carbon-dioxide intensive technology faces many challenges, the biggest one being the entrenchment of the construction industry and its resistance to adopt new carbon-dioxide free technologies. The adoption is a purely financial issue: Portland cement is still cheap and profitable. Only when governmental regulations for the reduction of carbon-dioxide production are put in place and make Portland concrete expensive enough, other technologies will have a chance to flourish. We believe this will happen in the next decade, especially in highly developed countries in Europe, followed by rich countries in Asia, where the cost of polluting the environment becomes high enough. In the perspective article published in Journal of the American Ceramic Society co-authored by two members of the UrbaX team, Jerome Enrico Lombardi (Ph.D.) and José Vitorio Emiliano, you can read more about one of the most promising carbon-free construction technologies: geopolymers and alkali-activated materials. At UrbaX we are committed in creating a sustainable construction technology for future generations. https://lnkd.in/gtyUMmNx #greenconcrete #perspective

📚 Step-by-step validated pilot (surface preparation, application of primer, application of UrbaX 5mm protective binder, fixing of protection board, etc.) @ The GEAR, 02.05.2024, Singapore. Protect or revitalize your damaged or deteriorated infrastructure with our unique UrbaX weather-as-a-service solutions 🏆 Very glad to carry out our first campaign of pilots for vertical applications at The GEAR flagship building with the support of Kajima and Rainmaking APAC. Our quick-setting, nano-engineered protective mortar has been designed to facilitate trowel-applied vertical repairs. Ensure high performance and longevity in every application 🚀 Amanda Chen Luke Wu Isabel Ng #contech #climatech #innovation

Our co-founder Jerome Enrico Lombardi (Ph.D.) rocking the stage at the Built Environment Accelerate to Market Programme (BEAMP) industry engagement session last week. We were deeply honored to receive an invitation from the fantastic team at Building and Construction Authority #Singapore to showcase our revolutionary binders and technology stack within the real estate ecosystem. #Singapore offers numerous opportunities, making it the perfect location to launch UrbaX operations. Thank you Arnold Leong Firdaus Laza Derrick Chiang Hoyan Lam Ng M. #contech #climatetech #singapore

The UrbaX team is delighted to have been selected for the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology Centre venturing program 🚀 Today, we will hear perspectives on science-based startups, adaptive innovation, and market readiness from Singapore-based and Massachusetts Institute of Technology leaders, investors, and academic and industry experts. Looking forward to the coming weeks! #urbaX #climatetech #sciencestartup

🇪🇺 Europe’s green cement is taking off! As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, sustainable construction 🏗 practices are progressively taking center stage in the architectural and engineering industries. Among the array of innovative solutions available, greener cement, next-generation binders, and precast concrete emerged as champions of #sustainableconstruction. A great article from Sifted highlighting a variety of approaches taken by our peers at CemVision (Poland), Carbonaide (Finland), Biozeroc (UK), and Material Evolution (UK), looking at cement production optimization, CO2 capture, new chemistries, and biochemistry. UrbaX will enter the play in 2024, establishing its European operations in Paris. The key for new entrants will be to find a quick go-to-market strategy to scale production quickly. As investors conclude: “If you can get to the same quality as Portland cement at the same or lower cost and be green, then you are a winner. We are still waiting for this.” It will happen in the coming 2-5 years. Watch out! 🚀 #greenconstruction #europe #startups https://lnkd.in/dwRd6YxE

As the year draws to a close, we thank all our incredible partners, supporters, advisors, and staff for making 2023 such a fantastic chapter. Your support, collaboration, and dedication have boosted UrbaX's approach to climate impact. UrbaX is on a mission to decarbonize the cement and construction industries. In a year filled with unique challenges and opportunities, having a network like ours has been invaluable in accelerating our maturation and go-to-market. Thank you for your unwavering support, insightful contributions, and the positive spirit each of you brings to our journey and the growing UrbaX community. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May this season bring you joy, peace, and success in all your endeavors. 2024 is another big year for the climate and UrbaX. Let’s build! National University of Singapore NUS Centre for Advanced 2D Materials (CA2DM) The GEAR Kajima Building and Construction Authority PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) Enterprise Singapore Star Ready Mix, Inc. Rainmaking APAC #festiveseason2023 #climatetech #singapore

A new report from IFC - International Finance Corporation on sustainable construction is telling. Current trajectories put emissions from construction on a path to rise by 13% globally by 2035 😱. In parallel, forecasts show that energy-saving design, construction, and better operations practices and access to climate-friendly capital markets "could" curb emissions by 12.8% by 2035 from 2022 levels. There are two main identified technical challenges/market opportunities: 1. Existing buildings should be improved by lightly retrofitting them with more efficient cooling and heating systems, smart meters, and by applying environmental shielding such as reflective paint to external surfaces and rooftops, among other sustainable practices and technologies. In addition to addressing climate change, this would generate savings for building owners. Hello UrbaX Class A binder 👋 2. The major contributor to emissions from the construction sector—about half its CO2 output—is the production of building materials, principally cement and steel. Cement production is the most carbon-intensive activity in the world. Greener substitutes have to be implemented and deployed as fast as possible. Hello again UrbaX Classes B & C binders 😍 To date, most of the green private debt financing has been directed toward the construction and operation of buildings. Just 9% of financing has gone into greening the manufacturing of construction materials, the activity responsible for almost half the value chain’s carbon footprint. It is more than time to change this narrative 🌍 #climatetech #greenbuilding #emergingmarkets https://lnkd.in/d3S2sQ9W

Check out Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy "State of Transition 2023 - Accelerating the Clean Industrial Revolution" report. 5 activities globally account for 100% of GHG emissions - building stuff, growing food, transport, electricity & warming/cooling our buildings. In every single one, there are new climate tech startups focused on decarbonizing these "Grand Challenges", UrbaX being one of the very few in SE Asia and Europe addressing both the greenfield and brownfield sides of the built environment (i.e., new materials, retrofitting, and building energy optimization through enhanced insulation): 1/ Electrify everything - Accelerate adoption of renewables & nuclear 2/ Green manufacturing - Cement & Steel is 10% of emissions, "hard to abate" becomes "have to abate" (UrbaX 👋 ) 3/ Sustainable Agriculture - 20% of emissions. Intensify food production, whilst reducing emissions 4/ Zero Carbon Transport - EV's, long haul heavy-duty transport & e-fuels https://lnkd.in/gYh_BHtC #betterbuilding #climatetech #singaporetech