CO₂-Fixing Artificial Sand “GX-e Beads” Used in the Successful Full-Scale Construction of ILBs by Mitsubishi UBE Cement Corporation
Jul 2, 2025
Mitsubishi UBE Cement Corporation (“MUCC,” Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuto Hirano) has manufactured interlocking blocks (ILBs) using “GX-e Beads,” an artificial carbonate sand that fixes CO₂, developed by the company. These CO₂-fixing ILBs were successfully installed in June 2025 and are currently in use.
The CO₂-fixing ILBs manufactured at the factory of Sanyo-Ube Corporation (Head Office: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; President: Toshikatsu Onishi), an MUCC group company, use GX-e Beads—an artificial carbonate sand developed by MUCC—as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in the production of its interlocking block product “Slim Pave.” In these blocks, 25 to 50 percent of the fine aggregate (by volume) was replaced with GX-e Beads, and the resulting product was confirmed to meet the required performance standards. A total of 1,833 CO₂-fixing ILBs were installed over an area of approximately 37 m², alongside conventional Slim Pave blocks covering about 20 m². These blocks contain approximately 70 kg of fixed CO₂. The installation also revealed that the ratio of GX-e Beads used could be increased even further, and MUCC will continue working to raise the amount of CO₂ the blocks fix. Although the amount of fixed CO₂ in this installation was limited, broader use across larger areas is expected to fix greater amounts of CO₂.
The test installation was conducted as part of the “Demonstration Project for Manufacturing and Utilization Technologies Aimed at Social Implementation of Carbon-Recycled Materials,” which had previously been accepted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under the “Project for Strengthening Resilience of Autonomous Resource Recycling System Through Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration” grant program. A site visit was held following the test installation, attended by the Green Investment Promotion Organization, which manages the grant program, as well as the City of Kitakyushu and the University of Kitakyushu, both partners in the demonstration project. All parties involved are thrilled to share this innovation and the high expectations for it sparks. MUCC is dedicated to continuing its efforts to solve social issues and achieve a sustainable society.
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