Self-healing concrete moves closer to commercial reality
Self-healing materials are showing growing commercial promise, with concrete tipped as a key early adopter thanks to its widespread use and pressing need for long-term durability. That’s according to a new report by IDTechEx, which finds that biological self-healing technologies are gaining traction as a solution to microcrack formation, corrosion and the high lifecycle costs of traditional concrete.
In their latest study, Self-Healing Materials 2025–2035: Technologies, Applications, and Players, IDTechEx estimates that industrialised nations lose around 3% of GDP annually to issues such as corrosion and material degradation. Concrete, used in everything from roads to tunnels, suffers in particular from freeze-thaw cycles and microcracking that lead to structural damage and expensive repairs.
The report highlights bio-based systems—especially those using dormant bacteria—as the leading route to market. These systems activate when water enters a crack, prompting bacteria to consume calcium lactate and excrete limestone, effectively sealing the damage. Companies such as Basilisk are already piloting this technique with bacteria strains like Bacillus sphaericus and B. pseudofirmus, which remain viable for over 200 years.
Modern self-healing concrete builds on ancient Roman principles. Roman concrete structures have lasted millennia due in part to lime clasts—calcium-rich inclusions that can react with water to heal cracks. This mineral-based healing process is echoed in modern biological systems and is seen as a viable method of extending the lifespan of today’s concrete infrastructure.
Alternative approaches in development include geopolymer concrete using fly ash and bacteria-coated fibres, which act as structural reinforcements to hold cracks closed. These solutions are gaining interest in both the precast and cast-in-situ markets.
While the upfront cost of self-healing concrete can be around 30% higher than traditional alternatives, IDTechEx argues the long-term savings outweigh the initial expense. Reduced maintenance, fewer replacements, and lower downtime costs can all contribute to lifecycle savings.
The report also suggests a phased adoption path, beginning with slab applications before expanding to vertical structures like walls. This staged approach could help boost confidence in the technology’s performance and long-term viability.
The construction sector's move towards more sustainable, durable materials makes self-healing concrete particularly relevant. IDTechEx believes the material’s high-volume use case, combined with the rising cost of maintenance and the need to decarbonise construction, puts it at the forefront of the emerging self-healing materials market.
For UK concrete professionals, the findings offer fresh insights into how emerging technologies can enhance performance while supporting long-term resilience and cost efficiency in infrastructure and building projects.
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