Traditional cement production accounts for 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Concrete, with cement as its key ingredient, is the second-most-consumed material in the world after water. Without radical change, the way we build our infrastructure will continue to undermine a healthy and safe future.
Inspired by coral, one of nature’s most durable structures, this technology uses bacteria to bind carbon and calcium into a biologically formed marble material. Within two days, Mimmik Tiles grow into strong, durable floor tiles, offering a compelling alternative for significantly lowering the carbon footprint of building materials.
Mimmik Tile* is developed by Biomason using Zymecrete™ technology, a planet-friendly alternative to traditional cement that reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 60%. Now in its third generation, the technology has matured into a stable and scalable production process.
*the new and improved version of the BioBasedTile
Mimmik Tile grows with the help of bacteria. Now in its third generation, the technology has matured into a stable and scalable production process. Produced by Biomason.
The short answer is no, not yet.
The factory that is producing Mimmik Tile on a large scale is located in Denmark. The Biomason EPD team is working closely together with the engineers in Denmark to calculate the environmental profile of the actual product made over here.
To prevent the circulation of multiple EPDs of the Mimmik Tile, we will be waiting for the new publication which represents the commercial product we are selling. As soon as the data is available, we’ll inform our clients via our website and newsletter.
The primary component of traditional concrete is Portland cement. Portland cement is manufactured from crushed limestone (calcium carbonate). There are two main stages in the manufacturing of Portland cement.
The first stage, calcination, requires heating limestone to temperatures greater than 800 degrees Celsius (~1,500 F), resulting in calcium oxide and carbon dioxide gas.
The second stage, clinker formation, combines calcium oxide with silicates at furnace temperatures greater than 1,300 degrees Celsius (~2,400 F).
Manufacturing 1 KG of Portland cement releases approximately 1 KG of carbon dioxide into the environment. Half of this comes from the calcination of the limestone and the other half from the combustion of fossil fuels necessary to achieve the required kiln temperatures. Additional atmospheric byproducts of Portland cement production include dioxin, NOx, SO₂, and particulates.
No. Throughout the years, our partner Biomason developed their own binder that we use for the Mimmik Tile. The process relies on bacteria for the growth of cement rather than burning fuels for calcination resulting in a lighter, stronger, and thinner material.
The final material consists of approximately 85% natural aggregate, and 15% biologically grown limestone.
Naturally occurring bacteria are used to produce Mimmik Tile, a non-modified bacteria described as a wild-type strain. The non-pathogenic strain was isolated from a species commonly found in global natural environments.
These bacteria typically create cemented materials over hundreds or thousands of years, but the binding process enables them to do the same work in days.
The size of the Mimmik Tile does not change from the time it is formed in production. During production, they increase in density. The “growing” happens as biologically produced calcium carbonate forms bridges between the aggregate grains, strengthening the unit from within. Mimmik Tiles do not warp during production.
Bacteria are everywhere in the world around us. Generally speaking, they need two things to survive: nutrients and moisture. Mimmik Tile does retain trace bacteria from the growth process. However, these exist in a dormant state and require conditions beyond those commonly found in the built environment to become active.
It takes less than 72 hours for our Mimmik Tiles to reach full cure strength, and this is continuously improving through Biomason’s rapid research and development. As a note, traditional concrete can take up to 28 days to cure!
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