Smog Eating Concrete PDF

Smog-Eating Concrete
In a Nutshell
Smog-eating concrete is concrete mixed with a titanium oxide additive. Originally developed to ensure that the
concrete remained a bright white color, it was discovered that the compound breaks down nitrogen oxide
molecules in addition to other pollutants. Adding this compound to any concrete construction has the capability
of improving the air quality of the surrounding area.
The “How To”

Smog-eating concrete orginated in Europe, and is a relatively new form of conrete that is making its way to the
United State. American based Essroc is the leading producer of smog-eating conrete. Essroc provides the
concrete for other construction companies to pave roads or construction buildings with. Essroc sells two smog-
eating products TX Arca and TX Aria. Both products are self-cleaning, meaning the concrete resists "most
organic and inorganic pollutants that gather on the surface." The latter product also cleans the air of
environmental pollutants in the immediate area. These products work through a process known as
photocatalysis, which relies on the sun to aid in the chemical reaction that eats away the smog.
Essroc has sold throughout the country. Two notable examples occuried in a recent development in Chicago
and another in St. Louis on a stretch of Missouri Highway 141. Information on other Essroc projects
throughout the country is on their website too.
Planning & Zoning

Since the "smog-eating" additive was developed for aesthetic purposes and remains simply an additive, using it
remains an option for construction and building sites. Due to its lack of effect on the strength or durability of
the concrete mixes it is added to, it should not be in conflict with any building code or concrete construction
codes. The use of smog-eating concrete on Highway-141 in Missouri did not require any special zoning or land-
use ordinance.
Dollars & Cents

TX Active cements are currently manufactured and available in the United States directly from Essroc. TX
Active cements are available in either white or gray color, produced in 47lbs. bags, 1500lbs. bulk bags, and
bulk truckload shipments.
Pricing is available upon request by contacting Essroc directly at 610-837-6725, [email protected].
Measuring Success
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The benefits of the photocatalytic concrete can be measured by measuring the air quality of the surrounding
area of the site. Measurements for nitrogen oxide compounds, ammonia, sulfur oxide compounds, and volatile
organic compounds can be taken. Surveying residents of the surrounding neighborhoods is also a method
which can be used in order to assess the effectiveness and benefits of the concrete additive.
The stretch of Highway-141 that was paved with smog-eating concrete is the subject of two on-going studies.
Researchers from University of Missouri-Kansas City are conducting water qaulity analysis tests, while Iowa
State University is conducting air quality tests. Please check back for an update on the results of these studies.
Air Quality is one of the performace measures OneSTL is using for the Green theme.
Discover More
More information on smog-eating concrete can be found on TX Active's website.
Case Studies
Pilsen Sustainable Streetscape
Contact
Gabe Klein
Commissioner, Chicago Department of Transportation
312-744-3600
Address
1450 West Cermak Road - Chicago, IL 60608
Description
The Pilsen Sustainable Streetscape spans a 2-mile stretch of West Cermak Road in the Pilsen neighborhood of
Chicago, including the intersection at Blue Island. The project was completed in Spring 2013 and marks the
first time that photocatalytic (smog-eating) concrete has been used in the United States, earning the streetscape
its title as the “Greenest Street in America.” While the Pilsen neighborhood is experiencing a transition to a
more mixed-use neighborhood, industrial areas nearby make West Cermak a common truck route, and an
excellent opportunity to utilize smog-eating concrete. The streetscape also includes many other sustainable
features, such as permeable pavement and bioswales for stormwater management, solar- and wind-powered
streetlights, drought-resistant plants for landscaping, and bike lanes to encourage non-polluting modes of
transport. In addition, 23% of construction materials used for the project contained recycled material and 60%
of construction waste produced was recycled.
Video: Pilsen Sustainable Streetscape
Chicago Department of Transportation website
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Cost $14 million
Lessons Learned
While the environmental benefits of smog-eating concrete are an important aspect of the Pilsen Sustainable
Streetscape, the city is also focused on the social benefits. Beautification, placemaking, public safety, and
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creating an outdoor space for students at nearby Benito Juarez High School were all goals in the planning of the
streetscape as well. Because the streetscape was just completed a few months ago, it is hard to measure its
success at this point. However, the City of Chicago is looking to incorporate sustainable practices that are now
being used in pilot projects like the Pilsen Sustainable Streetscape into official city planning and building
guidelines. In the future, city officials hope the smog-eating concrete and other sustainable materials will
become standard on roadways and in new construction.
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Smog-Eating Concrete

The “How To”

Planning & Zoning

Dollars & Cents

Pricing is available upon request by contacting Essroc directly at 610-837-6725, [email protected].

1450 West Cermak Road - Chicago, IL 60608

Video: Pilsen Sustainable Streetscape

Chicago Department of Transportation website

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