Eden Innovations’ EdenCrete Trials Show Up to 28% Abrasion Resistance Gain in India

CRRI Trials Confirm EdenCrete®Pz7’s Concrete Performance Boost

Eden Innovations Ltd (ASX:EDE) has received a comprehensive final report from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in New Delhi validating the performance of its EdenCrete®Pz7 carbon nanotube-enhanced concrete admixture in Indian paving-grade concrete mixes. The government-backed CRRI trials, conducted in May 2026, demonstrated significant improvements across multiple key metrics compared to control mixes without the additive.

The lab tests focused on two concrete grades widely used in India’s infrastructure: a 40 MPa mix for new highways and a 60 MPa mix for “white topping” overlays that repair worn pavements. EdenCrete®Pz7, dosed at 0.25 to 0.3 litres per cubic metre, delivered up to 19% higher compressive strength, 14% greater flexural strength, and a striking 28% improvement in abrasion resistance, which is crucial for durability against heavy traffic and environmental wear.

Fly Ash Synergy and Sustainability Gains Highlighted

One of the standout findings is the synergistic effect between EdenCrete®Pz7 and fly ash, a supplementary cementitious material commonly used in Indian concrete. Mixes containing fly ash saw the greatest performance uplift, including a 25% reduction in drying shrinkage; a key factor in reducing cracking and extending pavement life. Even mixes without fly ash but with higher cement content showed meaningful gains, underscoring the admixture’s versatility.

This synergy also opens the door to reducing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) content while maintaining or improving strength, which could yield significant cost savings and lower CO2 emissions given OPC’s carbon intensity. The report explicitly points to the potential for developing more economical and environmentally sustainable concrete mixtures, aligning with India’s massive infrastructure push and climate goals.

CRRI’s Credibility Could Unlock Indian Market Growth

CRRI’s stature as a premier national laboratory advising Indian federal and state governments adds weight to these findings. The institute’s focus on adapting concrete technologies for India’s challenging climate and heavy traffic conditions means its endorsement could accelerate Eden’s field trials and commercial adoption across highways, bridges, airports, ports, data centres, and defence facilities.

India’s concrete market is booming, with record infrastructure spending of approximately USD 135 billion allocated for FY26–27 and ongoing construction of 4 kilometres of new concrete highways daily. Eden has already seen encouraging results from trials with Indian ready-mix companies and developers, and the CRRI report could serve as a catalyst for scaling EdenCrete®Pz7’s presence in this vast market.

Technical Details and Trial Methodology

The CRRI study was thorough, assessing fresh concrete properties alongside mechanical and durability characteristics such as compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths, drying shrinkage, and abrasion resistance. The trials used standard Indian paving-grade mixes M40 and M60, incorporating fly ash and silica fume as partial cement replacements. Testing followed Indian Standards and ASTM protocols, with specimens cured and evaluated at multiple ages up to 28 days.

Notably, EdenCrete®Pz7 improved workability slightly without affecting concrete density, making it a practical additive. The most significant performance improvements were consistently observed in fly ash-containing mixes, reinforcing the importance of this combination for Indian infrastructure applications.

Looking Ahead: Field Trials and Market Expansion

Eden Innovations plans to work closely with CRRI to expedite field trials of EdenCrete®Pz7-enhanced concrete for highway construction and overlay repairs. Given CRRI’s influence and the scale of India’s infrastructure ambitions, successful field validation could position India as Eden’s largest market for this product within a few years.

While the lab results are promising, the transition to commercial-scale adoption will require navigating regulatory approvals, demonstrating cost-effectiveness at scale, and competing in a crowded admixture market. Nonetheless, EdenCrete®Pz7’s unique carbon nanotube technology and the environmental benefits it offers provide a compelling value proposition amid growing demand for sustainable construction materials.