​The name says it all - Bton lacks the E (in the German word for concrete – Beton), which stands for the elimination of emissions. The climate-positive effect of the concrete is achieved through a patented hybrid mixing technology, which is said to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent and also uses carbon-reducing materials such as biochar. These materials allow the concrete to absorb more CO2 than is emitted during its production, especially considering the cement production. Founded in 2021 by the Sievers family, Antonio Catarino and Thomas Demmel, Bton develops future-proof building materials that promote sustainable, decarbonized construction, thus contributing to achieving the net-zero target.

In Soltau, Germany, a new patented hybrid mixing technology is now used to produce precast concrete members such as façade, wall and ceiling elements for residential construction in accordance with DIN standards. This is the first application of the technology in a precast plant and makes it possible not only to reduce CO2 in concrete production but also to create special concrete mixes that trap more CO2 than was emitted in total.

The concrete mix designs and technology developed by Thomas Sievers combine innovative and patented techniques for the treatment of constituent materials as well as the mixing and curing processes with modern digital methods in the manufacturing cycle to improve the concrete properties and make production more efficient. All types of concrete, from lightweight concrete, conventional concrete and UHPC (ultra-high-strength concrete) to geopolymer concrete (cement-free concrete), can be automated, ecologically optimized and processed into high-quality precast elements, achieving CO2-negative production.

The hybrid mixing technology enables the production of particularly ecological concrete types, which, according to Bton, can in a first step reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional processes. In a second step, carbon-lowering materials (e.g., biochar) are used. These climate-positive types of concrete absorb more CO2 than is used for their production, especially the cement. The use of structurally effective fibres as a partial or complete replacement of steel reinforcement further reduces CO2 in the concrete.

"Bton Fertigteilwerk GmbH is part of the network “80 Seconds – New Building” and makes an important contribution to ensuring that we can create faster and more sustainable progress in residential construction. If, as officially announced, 400,000 affordable housing units are really to be built per year, i.e. one every 80 seconds, then we need such innovations," says Robert Kroth, Managing Director of “80 Seconds – New Building".

More than 9 million Euros have been invested in Soltau, supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Currently, 50 new jobs have been created. With the planning of 10 new large production plants over the next 3 years, the innovative concrete technology is also to be disseminated internationally.

At a specialist forum on building material innovations, the plant was presented to industry experts as part of the event opening.