Can concrete cool our cities?
At Pan-United Corporation, we believe that decarbonisation starts in the lab, where ideas are brought to life to tackle real-world challenges like the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. PanU Hi-Albedo — a specialised high-solar reflectivity, low-carbon concrete— was developed to address the higher temperatures experienced by urbanised areas.
How do built surfaces contribute to urban heat?
Materials used in the built environment absorb and store solar heat, contributing to heat build-up and higher temperatures in urban areas. Dark surfaces like asphalt absorb more solar heat, intensifying the UHI effect.
How does PanU Hi-Albedo mitigate UHI?
PanU Hi-Albedo reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat, helping surfaces stay cooler.
Key thermal & environmental metrics of PanU Hi-Albedo:
▪️Reflects up to 40% of solar heat versus less than 10% for dark surfaces such as asphalt
▪️ Cools surfaces by up to 15°C
▪️Reduces ambient temperatures by 1.5°C to 2.0°C
▪️ 65% lower embodied carbon footprint than conventional concrete
Continuous in-house research & development into solutions such as PanU Hi-Albedo form part of our commitment to innovate for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
