The effective production of concrete structures requires adequate control of strength development in order to realise the scheduled production cycles. Demoulding of elements can take place only when sufficient strength is gained and the production cycle has to be maintained with seasonal changes of temperature. The use of Portland Cement promotes high early age strengths, but comes with a relative high impact on the environment since decarbonation and a high energy demand come along with cement production. Supplementary cementitious materials have been widely applied to improve the sustainability of concrete but the rate of early age strength development often is compromised to some degree.@en

The development of strength is an important criterion for the production of prefabricated concrete elements. With seasonal changes of temperature that affect the development of concrete strength, daily cycles of often 18 hours or shorter have to bemaintained. The use of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) promotes high early age strength, but results in a relative high impact on the environment since cement production comes with decarbonation of components and a high energy demand. With the use of supplementary cementitious materials often comes a lower rate of strength development which might be compensated by one or more of the following measures: increase of cement fineness, curing at elevated temperature, optimization of the granular skeleton and/or use of accelerators.@en