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The future of construction began with an idea

For over 100 years, classic concrete construction has been based on steel reinforcements. But steel has weaknesses: it rusts, requires high concrete covers and is heavy. The problem of corrosion leads to enormous maintenance costs and limited service life of structures.

That is why research into an alternative began several decades ago – and led to the development of a revolutionary building material: carbon concrete. Today, carbon concrete is no longer just a research concept, but an approved, market-ready material that makes construction more sustainable and efficient.

The emergence of carbon concrete – a look at history

🟠 1980s: the first ideas emerge

As early as the 1980s, scientists began to investigate non-metallic reinforcements for concrete. At that time, the main focus was on glass-fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRP) and carbon fibers. Initial laboratory tests showed the enormous potential of these materials: freedom from corrosion, high tensile strength and significantly reduced material usage.

🟠 1990s: First applications and pilot projects

In the 1990s, the first carbon reinforcements were tested in real construction projects. Prototypes were developed primarily in Japan, Canada and Germany. During this time, the following were created:

• The first concrete bridges with carbon reinforcement
• Renovation projects with carbon lamellae to reinforce existing reinforced concrete structures
• Development of lattice structures made of carbon fibers as an alternative to conventional steel solutions

🟠 2000s: Research Intensifies

From the 2000s onwards, carbon-reinforced concrete became the focus of the building materials industry and research institutions. In Germany in particular, extensive research was carried out into long-term durability, strength and cost-effectiveness. Important milestones were:

• 2003: First carbon-reinforced concrete test structures in Germany
• 2006: Establishment of the "Institut für Massivbau" at the TU Dresden with a focus on carbon concrete
• 2008: Development of solidian GRID – an industrially manufactured carbon reinforcement

🟠 2010s: The breakthrough through large-scale research projects

The decisive breakthrough came with funding from the federal government and industry:

• 2014: Start of the largest research project for carbon concrete: C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite with over 140 partners from research and industry
• 2015: First series production of carbon reinforcement grids by solidian
• 2016: Completion of the world's first carbon concrete pavilion at the University of Stuttgart
• 2019: Conclusion of the C³ research phase with clear results on economic efficiency and durability

🟠 2020s: Carbon concrete is market-ready

In recent years, carbon concrete has moved from research into actual construction practice. A decisive milestone was the first general building approval (abZ) for carbon concrete:

• 2022: Construction of the world's first carbon concrete building “The Cube” in Dresden
• 2024: Approval Z-1.6-308 for carbon concrete in in-situ concrete applications with solidian GRID
• 2025: Approval Z-71.3-45 for the economical production of prefabricated parts with solidian GRID

solidian as a pioneer for the construction turnaround

solidian is one of the leading companies that have transferred carbon concrete from research into practice. The development of high-performance carbon reinforcement grids has established the building material in prefabricated plants, bridge construction and renovation.

The approvals Z-1.6-308 and Z-71.3-45 now enable the broad industrial use of carbon concrete for the first time - without individual approvals.

From idea to reality

What started as a theoretical concept is now a real, economically viable construction method. Carbon concrete no longer just stands for innovative research, but for a sustainable, durable and efficient building material of the future. With solidian, construction companies and precast concrete plants now have the opportunity to use carbon concrete easily and without the need for approval.