To develop materials that meet the needs of the future, it is important to consider the challenges of both the past and the present. Concrete, a widely used construction material, has maintained its basic composition since its modern conception in the 19th century with the invention of Portland cement by Joseph Aspdin. Highly valued for its strength and cohesion, concrete has become one of the most widely used materials in the world. Driven by its technical and aesthetic characteristics, architects have erected landmarks such as the ECLAC building and the Palmira Chapel, which have become milestones of contemporary architectural production. Today, however, such performance characteristics are no longer the sole criteria for weighing a material's value, given the pressing need to develop materials with a sustainable focus. Indeed, the concrete industry releases a high volume of pollutants into the atmosphere, accounting for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions.
In the future, we will likely require materials that are not only durable, cohesive, or cost-effective, but also more efficient—qualities that can reduce atmospheric pollutants and the embodied energy of manufacturing processes. In contrast to the polluting nature of traditional concrete, eco-friendly alternatives have emerged. Among them is Ecobas —developed by Basaltex—, which stands out for its ability to decompose polluting particles. Ecobas is a photocatalytic concrete that, through a natural oxidation process called photocatalysis, neutralizes pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) —highly prevalent in urban air— using ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Upon neutralization, these pollutants are transformed into nitrates that can be easily washed off the concrete surface with water, serving as nutrients for plants and trees.
The Greater the Solar Exposure, the Higher the Efficiency of Photocatalytic Concrete
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