Durham-based Devine Chemicals develops speciality chemicals for the building and construction market through its own DeCAL products. The company was approached by a major UK manufacturer to formulate an all-inclusive concrete admixture. Generally, concrete manufacturers keep water levels low to increase strengths, however in semi-dry concrete the water demand is dictated by the workability required to cast the concrete and de-mould instantly. Research shows that approximately 20 to 30 per cent of cement remains un-hydrated in semi-dry concrete due to a lack of available free water. This...