Basilisk

Basilisk is a developer of self-healing technology intended for cracks in concrete. The company's self-healing agent can be added to repair products or virgin concrete. The agent contains specific micro-organisms (bacteria) that start producing limestone when in contact with oxygen and water, creating an autonomous repair system which in return increase the durability and service life of concrete structures enabling construction companies to decrease maintenance and repair costs.

Basilisk has a number of unique products that enable Self-Healing Concrete. This includes their Basilisk Healing Agent which is an admixture for concrete mixtures, their Self-healing Repair Mortar MR3 which repairs mortar in existing concrete structures, and their Liquid Repair System ER7 which offers a solution to repair existing concrete structures. Currently cracks up to 1 millimetre can be repaired. The self-healing technology was developed by Dr. Hendrik Jonkers and is protected with four patents.

The bacterial spores in the self-healing concrete and related products are extremophiles, able to endure heat, drought and cold for years inside the concrete. The bacteria in the concrete are activated in a crack when moisture enters and begins the repair process.

Visualization of Basilisk's bacteria working to heal concrete cracks and seal against leakage and corrosion.

The Basilisk Healing Agent is a concrete admixture for use in traditional concrete mixtures. The product contains micro-organisms which produce limestone to repair the concrete and is often known as bio-concrete. Basilisk Healing Agent consists of biodegradable granular admixture which can seal and waterproof cracks in concrete up to 1 millimetre. Concrete structures using Basilisk Healing Agent provide longer service life and less maintenance during that lifespan than traditional non-healing concretes. The use of Basilisk Healing Agent reduces shrinkage in concrete, and increases waterproofing, which in turn reduces the requirement of shrinkage rebar.

The Basilisk Healing Agent was used for waterproofing in the basement walls of the Het Loo Palace in the Netherlands during an expansion of the basement into an underground national museum.

Basilisk's Self-Healing Repair Mortar MR3 is used to repair damaged concrete covers, cracks, and remedy water leaks in existing concrete structures. MR3 mortar also offers better lifetime of the repaired concrete due to the mortar's ability to resolve deformations inside the repaired concrete and in the mortar itself. This deformation capacity also prevents debonding and brittle failure when subjected to high load stress.

The Self-Healing Repair Mortar MR3 is a ready-mix mortar and can be applied manually or as shotcrete mortar suitable for smaller patch repairs and larger surface area repairs. The mortar also contains PVA fibers to ensure high flexural capacity and enables the hardened mortar to shrink and expand with the original concrete. Basilisk's MR3 mortair meets the requirements of the European Standard EN 1504-3 class R3 repair mortars and is CE certified.

Basilisk's Liquid Repair System ER7 is a liquid repair system for existing concrete, especially for small, narrow cracks and porous concrete surfaces. The liquid repair system costs less than traditional repair methods. It is of a low viscosity and penetrates small cracks, up to 0.8 millimetres, and pores. After application, the liquid forms a gel which seals the crack and pore. For cracks up to 0.2 millimetres a single treatment works; for larger cracks multiple treatments may be necessary. Any excess material can be removed after twenty-four hours for immediate use of the repaired concrete.

During this process, the bacteria present in the liquid converts the nutrients into limestone, and provides a compatible and watertight seal for cracks and concrete surfaces. The application of ER7 can also prevent growth and regrowth of fouling organisms and increase the concrete's resistance against frost damage.

The Liquid Repair System ER7 is an organic solution free of chemical solvents.

The technology which underlies Basilisk was developed and patented in collaboration with the Delft University of Technology and Corbion, a manufacturer in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals, vitamins and algae ingredients.

After successful testing the interest from the (concrete) market grew strongly. Basilisk was spun out of the Delft University of Technology for a commercial application of the self-repairing product. For different applications Basilisk collaborates with renowned names in the international world of concrete. This has included cooperation with Sybrand van der Zwaag and Annegreeth Lameijer in the production and patenting of the self-healing technology with Hendrik Jonkers. Basilisk was founded by Hendrik Jonkers with Bart van der Woerd.

From 2014 to 2016, a parking garage in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, was used as a pilot project for Basilisk's liquid repair system. The aim of the project was to treat an intermediate floor of the parking garage for a total of 12,000 m² of treated surface. The floors of the parking garage had a polymer topcoat present during the application. The aim of the project was to prevent leakage and prevent damage to cars and for reinforcement. Initially, the choice of Basilisk's Liquid Repair System was for it's low-pressure application whic would not damage the floors polymer topcoat. The initial coat, done only to 6,000 m² of the parking garage, was successful, and Basilisk's Liquid Repair system was brought back a year after to coat a second 6,000 m².

In 2015, the Groninger Forum, a five story underground parking garage, in Groningen, Netherland, was being repaired due to high groundwater pressure which had resulted in sweat stains, small leaks, micro cracking and larger cracks. Basilisk's Self-Healing Repair Mortar MR3 was used to close the open cracks and micro-cracks and in the observed places of leaks. Ten weeks after the application of the Self Healing Repair Mortar MR3, the mortar was proved to be watertight.

In 2017, a water basin for the Port of Rotterdam was constructed using the Basilisk Healing Agent in the concrete for the walls to ensure healing when cracking occurs. During the construction of the water basin, there were concrete sections poured without the use of the Healing Agent admixture and it was strength tested against the walls poured with the Healing Agent admixture. The tests found the strength for both walls were the same. And during the pouring of the concrete, cracks occurred, and the healing agent was observed at work.

For the renovation and extension of the basement of the Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn, Netherlands from 2019 to 2020, the Basilisk Healing Agent was used as an admixture for its healing properties, but also to help the concrete remain permanently watertight.

Basilisk's distribution partners include CONMIX for the United Arab Emirates; Young Dong Industrial for South Korea; Aizawa Concrete for Japan; Current Pte Ltd. for Singapore; WBA Abdichtungssysteme for Germany; BIU International for Portugal; ECMAS Construction Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. for India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh; FORTIUS for Belgium; Tiger Applied Technologies Co. Ltd. for Taiwan; BetonoZona for the Baltic States; Markham global for New Zealand and Australia; and Shawahiq Tayba Group for the Middle East.

Basilisk offers self-healing concrete. The Basilisk Healing Agent closes cracks in concrete with limestone produced by micro-organisms. The additive is developed by Delft University of Technology.