The UAE has become the launch site for the world’s first internal curing concrete additive, developed to eliminate the need for traditional external water curing and significantly reduce water consumption in construction.
Asian Paints has introduced CureAssure, a liquid chemical additive that integrates the curing process into the concrete itself. By using proprietary polymers, CureAssure retains moisture within the concrete matrix, enabling complete hydration without the need for continuous external wetting. This innovation has the potential to save up to 8 billion liters of water annually in the UAE if adopted widely across the construction sector.
Designed for Water-Scarce Environments
Concrete curing is an essential process to achieve the intended strength, durability, and dimensional stability of concrete structures. Traditionally, this is achieved through surface wetting, ponding, or applying curing membranes. In hot, arid climates, large volumes of water are consumed to counter rapid evaporation. CureAssure offers a different approach — storing water inside the mix to hydrate the cement from within, which is especially beneficial where water is scarce or costly to transport.
Product Composition and Compatibility
CureAssure is a chloride-free additive, designed to be compatible with a range of cement types and supplementary cementitious materials. According to Asian Paints, it works effectively with:
- Cement Types: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Sulphate-Resistant Cement (SRC)
- Pozzolanic Additions: Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA), micro-silica
- Admixtures: All types of water-reducing (WR) and set-retarding (SR) admixtures
The manufacturer recommends conducting trial mixes to fine-tune dosage when used alongside other additives or under unique site conditions.
Wide Range of Applications
CureAssure is formulated for flexibility across multiple concrete types and placement methods, making it suitable for:
- Pumped concrete for high-rise or complex site access
- Precast concrete elements in factory conditions
- High-fluidity concrete mixes for intricate formwork
- High-durability structures exposed to harsh environments
- High-strength concrete for infrastructure and load-bearing applications
- Ready-mixed concrete with varying transport times
- Long-distance concrete transport for remote projects
How It Works?
Unlike external curing, which prevents moisture loss from the surface, CureAssure embeds curing capability within the concrete mass. The additive’s polymers retain mixing water inside the capillary network, slowly releasing it for hydration as the cement sets. This leads to:
- Controlled and uniform hydration
- Reduced shrinkage and crack formation
- Minimized stress build-up in the hardening phase
- Improved long-term durability and performance
Advantages Over Traditional Curing
Asian Paints highlights several benefits of adopting CureAssure over conventional surface-based curing:
- Water Savings: Eliminates the need for continuous wetting, conserving large volumes of fresh water
- Time Efficiency: No need for on-site curing crews or equipment after placement
- Quality Control: Uniform curing throughout the concrete element, regardless of shape or surface access
- Crack Reduction: Lowers shrinkage and thermal stresses
- Versatility: Usable in diverse climatic and project conditions
- Sustainability: Supports reduced environmental footprint in construction projects
Industry and Sustainability Implications
The shift to internal curing aligns with global sustainability goals and resource efficiency targets. In regions like the Middle East, where potable water is a valuable resource, construction sites face increasing pressure to reduce consumption. By replacing surface wetting with an embedded moisture retention system, projects can reduce operational costs and meet environmental compliance requirements.
Conclusion
CureAssure’s introduction reflects the ongoing trend toward specialized admixture technologies that not only improve the performance of concrete but also address environmental and logistical constraints. If the technology delivers consistent results in large-scale applications, it could encourage wider adoption of internal curing practices globally.
Images- Asian Paints
