Each year, the participants of the Concrete Canoe Regatta take on the challenge of building a functional boat made of concrete that is watertight without any additional coating or sealing and has good handling characteristics.

At the Concrete Canoe Regatta 2024 in Brandenburg an der Havel, the Nuremberg Institute of Technology opted for the more sustainable cement CEM II/C-M (S-LL) 42.5 N and received the special prize for sustainability in recognition of this.

The CEM II/C-M (S-LL) 42.5 N is a Portland composite cement manufactured in accordance with DIN EN 197-5, featuring a reduced clinker content of 50 to 64%. The combination of limestone powder and granulated blast-furnace slag, which together account for 36 to 50% of the cement, means that the concrete produced from it is not only easier to work with and pump, but also has an increased water retention capacity. This reduces bleeding of the fresh concrete and results in a high-quality fair-faced concrete surface. This makes the cement particularly well suited for concrete pours in summer and, as has now been demonstrated, also for the construction of concrete canoes.

Background on CEM II/C-M (S-LL) 42.5 N

The cement has been produced in bulk form since the end of 2022. Since the beginning of 2024, it has also been available in bags, further increasing its availability and range of applications.

A further notable advantage of the CEM II/C-M (S-LL) 42.5 N cement is its lower CO₂ footprint. Compared to a CEM I 42.5 N from the Karlstadt plant, the CEM II/C-M has a CO₂ footprint that is 39% lower. Even more impressive is the comparison with the CEM I calculated by the VDZ, against which the CEM II/C-M has a CO₂ footprint reduced by as much as 52%.

Its approval for all exposure classes and the ability to use it like any previously known cement make it a versatile and forward-looking choice for construction projects.