Eva Sachez-Rexach – Sustainable Polymer Concrete Production | NEx Workshop

🎤 Speaker: Eva Sanchez-Rexach, Ph.D. Lead R&D Scientist at Sileto Technologies 📍 Presented at the NEx Workshop during the ACI Concrete Convention 📌 Rosemont, IL – April 1, 2026 This session is part of the NEx Workshop, hosted by NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials, focused on “The Effect of Nonmetallic Building Materials on the Sustainability of Concrete Structures.” The ideas expressed in this seminar are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of NEx, ACI, or its committees. This research presents Sileto, a nonmetallic polymer concrete designed to significantly lower the carbon footprint of infrastructure compared to conventional methods. The production process establishes a robust circular economy framework by utilizing inert sand and upcycled waste fillers with a chemical binder content of less than 15%. Crucially, manufacturing requires zero water and generates no liquid waste, thereby eliminating the energy-intensive wastewater treatment often associated with concrete production. Furthermore, the process avoids external heat curing through an innovative chemistry that produces heat in a controlled, exothermic reaction. A case study on Sileto railroad ties demonstrates the material’s inherent sustainability: due to high material strength, these ties require no steel reinforcement and offer a recyclable service life exceeding 50 years. By removing cement, steel, and water from the equation, this technology offers a highly energy-efficient alternative for sustainable construction. To earn continuing education credits, visit ACI University. Learn More: nonmetallic.org 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for more expert insights on nonmetallic innovation and sustainable infrastructure.