Powercem UK

PowerCem has been established in the UK for over a decade, principally providing dedicated, professional support to the construction industry. During this time RoadCem has become the industry gold standard for stabilsed soils – capable of producing high specification engineered materials from even the most challenging of soils.

Our parent company, PowerCem Technologies B.V. was established in Moerdijk in the Netherlands in 1996. Since those early days the stated ambition of the company has been to provide innovative, engineered solutions through the use of individual patented products. Those goals and objectives remain unchanged today and continue to be at the heart of everything we do.

Are PowerCem contractors?

We are not contractors. PowerCem promote and supply three core products, manufactured by the parent company in the Netherlands, to the UK construction sector. The application of the products is carried out by specialist contractors or manufacturers who either install soil stabilisation or manufacture concrete products or other cementitious based materials. Installation of our RoadCem soil stabilisation product is largely carried out by one of our authorised installation partners, however we can provide initial site assistance and guidance for contractors who may wish to become an approved installer.

What is soil stabilisation?

Soil stabilisation involves the mixing of a ‘binder’ (cement or lime) into the in-situ soils. The more binder which is added the more strength is gained by the soils. Every soil is different and therefore requires differing %’s of binder; as a consequence, site soil sampling and laboratory testing are needed to determine the most appropriate binder mix to achieve stabilisation. There are a variety of soil stabilisation methods on the market and a wide range of soil stabilisation contractors – RoadCem focuses on soil stabilisation with cement binders.

Why is soil stabilisation so sustainable compared to traditional methods?

Our RoadCem soil stabilisation involves the treatment of the in-situ subsoil. There is no need to import primary aggregates by truck or include geosynthetics such as geotextiles or geogrids. Our Technical Library contains a Life Cycle Assessment report which illustrates the low carbon footprint of a RoadCem solution over conventional road construction – the same benefits can be applied to temporary structures. Each project comparison will be different however generally we would expect to see a +50% carbon footprint benefit from using a RoadCem single layer stabilisation solution over traditional methods.

RoadCem is a patented additive used to enhance cement based soil stabilisation. It is an inert blend of Noble and non-Noble metals, together with synthetic zeolites which combine to give a catalytic reaction to the cement hydration, enabling the formation of needle like crystalline structures within the bound materials. RoadCem is defined as a ‘Nano Technology’ because its effects can only be seen with the aid of a high powered microscope – whilst its performance benefits can be more readily seen in its superior strength and flexural stiffness.

Cement soil stabilisation allow in-situ soils of any type to be bound to create a stiffened, highly durable layer to replace imported aggregate often used as the base component for haul roads, site compounds and working platforms for heavy plant and equipment. RoadCe soil stabilisation can be designed to meet the highest of loading and durability requirements.

With its high flexural stiffness and strength RoadCem has been used worldwide for road construction and uniquely it can be used without any wearing course or running surface, making it totally recycleable when used for temporary works.

These unique qualities provide important construction advantages over alternative soil stabilisation methods:

*Crack free,
*high strength, single layer stabilisation providing durable and robust surfacing .
*Improved thermal response properties, reducing frost and weather damage.
*Enables soil stabilisation to be carried out on site in any weather, hot, cold, and wet weather.
*Flexible not brittle, increased stiffness and impact resistance.

RoadCem can treat all soil types, reducing the depth of site excavation and volumes of material to be stripped, as well as enabling stabilisation at your existing site levels.
The proven dynamic absorption properties of RoadCem soil concrete allow easy, fast, safe piling.
Maintenance free with no wearingcourse or surface protection required to ensure longevity.
100% recycleable, enables fast economic reinstatement, with nothing to be removed from site.
A typical 250mm RoadCem bound soil layer can achieve 3,000 MPa without risk of cracking.

RoadCem – ‘Soil Stabilisation’ Explained Soil stabilisation involves the mixing of a ‘binder’ (cement or lime) into the in-situ soils. The more binder which is added the more strength is gained by the soils. Every soil is different and therefore requires differing %’s of binder; as a consequence, site soil sampling and laboratory testing are needed to determine the most appropriate binder mix to achieve stabilisation. Stabilisation of the in-situ, (on site), soils produces a strengthened layer for temporary or permanent applications. Temporary applications form the majority of our projects, enabling the construction of site compounds, access tracks, haul roads and working platforms with the in-situ subsoils – effectively stabilising them into a strong, durable layers without the need for quarried aggregates or geosynthetics to be used. This technique is used within a wide range of civil construction projects such as transport infrastructure, utilities pipelines and onshore power cable routes.

Permanent applications are often built off our temporary stabilisation layers offering a reduction in aggregate import for capping and sub-base foundations and a related reduction in excavation depths and waste soil exports.