Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC)

• AAC Is 100% Green Building Material / Alternative Building Material
• No Pollutants
• No Toxic By-products in the Manufacturing or Construction Process
• AAC Is Sustainable Cellular Concrete
• It is a Long-lasting Material Requiring Minimal Maintenance.
• It Produces No Waste Products!
• AAC qualifies for numerous LEED Credits
• AAC is manufactured with abundant and/or recycled raw materials
• It’s manufacture requires the least amount of energy compared to other materials
• Since AAC consists of approximately 80% air the finished product has up to 5 times the volume of the raw materials used
• Add Up USGBC LEED Credits with AAC

EA 1 Optimize Energy Performance
When using an energy model instead of prescriptive energy code compliance, AAC will contribute to energy efficiency credits. When combined with efficient windows and roof system the envelope contributes to overall energy conservation. AAC offers an insulated block with R=1 per inch.

MR 2 Construction Waste Management
Any waste from AAC can be used as clean fill and gravel.

MR 5 Local/Regional Materials
AAC manufacturing plants are on the mainland USA and in Asia.  Railroads are used from our plant to the nearest port to conserve fuel usage and ship by barge to Hawaii, also reducing fuel emissions from transportation. Our nearest plant is more than 500 miles away from Hawaii.

EQ 4 Low Emitting Materials
Not only does AAC have no volatile organic compounds itself, adhesives and finishes recommended for it are VOC free as well.

ID 1 Innovation in Design
AAC contributes to an Integrated Pest Management Plan. Pesticides are not needed for termites with this product. Rodents have no place to travel within AAC.

Construction Benefits

• Fast and efficient panel installation reduces labor cost
• Modular components provide for ease of erection
• AAC puts your project on the fast track
• No reshoring accelerates finish trades
• No furring, insulation or drywall needed
• Workable like wood

AAC building systems have been successfully developed and implemented for more than 65 years. They have been utilized in residential and commercial applications.

The short- and long-term benefits of these systems are realized by owners, developers, designers and contractors alike. The benefits are achieved by the various material properties and methods that are associated with the established approach to construction.

For the Owner: One of the main benefits of AAC is safety. An owner using AAC products creates a sound, functional and safe building. Another benefit of the AAC system is versatility. AAC can provide many architectural features that will enhance and project a unique architectural image for the building and its owner. AAC construction is insect and termite proof. Therefore, the need for expensive insect and pest treatment as well as long term maintenance costs will be greatly reduced. To complete Michael Hofmann’s concept of a great building system, the superior thermal properties associated with all of the AAC products will translate into increased energy savings.

For the Developer: The cost savings realized when using AAC products, mainly related to the shorter construction time, will be dramatic. The advantages of AAC include low maintenance costs, good sound insulation and excellent thermal insulation. It easily meets hurricane and energy codes.

For the Designer: Creative designs cannot be realized without the use of a highly adaptable construction material. AAC can be adapted to suit most architectural designs while still providing a simple construction system that can meet all load requirements.

For the Contractor: Buildings can be constructed quickly and safely using AAC building systems. The product itself is lightweight; therefore easily handled.

AAC’s workability (e.g. anchoring, routing, and drilling characteristics) is well developed and can be easily performed. Typically, wall panel connections are installed with nails. AAC material also produces less waste. By using the right combinations of AAC products, productivity will be increased. AAC will reduce the amount of time spent on job sites due to its ease of handling

Production and Manufacturing Process

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is made from silica sand, lime, cement and water, to which an expanding agent is added. The AAC manufacturing process starts when the sand is ground to the required fineness in a ball mill. Raw materials are then automatically weighed and measured in the mixer along with water and an aluminum paste (the expanding agent). After mixing, the slurry is poured into metal molds in which the expanding agent reacts with the other elements. The mixing results in a chemical reaction that expands the mixture to form small, finely-dispersed air spaces. The molds are sent to a pre-curing room for several hours. Then the semi-solid material is transported to the cutting machine. The cutting machine cuts the molds, using steel wires, into the size required for the building elements. The products homogeneity combined with our high precision cutting technology, results in pieces with dimensional tolerances of 1/16”.The final phase in the production process is steam pressure curing in autoclaves for up to 12 hours. Block, panels and other AAC elements are removed from the autoclave, packaged and sent to the finished product storage. AAC reinforced elements, such as slab panels, wall panels, and lintels contain steel reinforcement mesh that is treated for corrosion with a water based acrylic, then placed in the mold before the slurry is added. The manufacturing process is then the same as described above for unreinforced elements.