Water-Hardening 'Concrete Canvas®' Selected as 'Recommended Technology' for FY2026 by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation, a company specializing in large-scale membrane structures (tent structures) and civil engineering/logistics materials, has announced that its 'Concrete Canvas®'—a Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mat (GCCM) that forms a concrete structure simply by adding water—was selected as a 'Recommended Technology' for FY2026 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's New Technology Information System (NETIS) in April 2026.

Case Study: Restoration of the Suemasa River following the 2018 torrential rains in Western Japan. In an area where securing equipment and personnel was difficult, approximately 4,500 square meters were temporarily restored in eight days using Concrete Canvas® to cover temporary levees.

As society faces labor shortages and increasingly severe natural disasters, there is a growing demand for construction efficiency and rapid disaster response. This technology is expected to contribute to solving these social challenges.

Having obtained 'VE Evaluation' (Utilization Effect Evaluated Technology) in 2025, this selection marks a shift from the demonstration phase to the promotion phase, where full-scale utilization in public works is anticipated.

Significance and Evaluation Points for 'Recommended Technology' Selection:
NETIS is a database operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to promote the utilization of new technologies in public works. Technologies selected as 'Recommended' are those deemed to have particularly high innovation and utility through review by external experts.

Concrete Canvas® was highly evaluated for the following points:
1. Innovation in Construction (Labor saving/Constraint adaptation): Capable of being installed in areas difficult for conventional construction, such as narrow spaces, steep slopes, and waterfronts, without the need for formwork or heavy machinery, realizing significant labor savings and process simplification.
2. Reliability of Performance (Thin layer x Durability): Possesses durability, erosion resistance, and water tightness despite being a thin layer, contributing to long-term infrastructure protection.
3. Disaster Response Capability (Responsiveness/Mobility): Enables rapid on-site action for disaster recovery and emergency response due to quick installation time.

Overview of Concrete Canvas:
Concrete Canvas® is a composite material called 'Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mat (GCCM)' (ASTM D8364) developed in the UK. It is a sheet-like material filled with specially formulated dry concrete, which hardens after sprinkling (or soaking) with water, forming a concrete coating layer in a short time. It is used for erosion prevention and surface protection for rivers, slopes, and waterways.

Features:
- Significant simplification of construction process by eliminating formwork
- Realization of shortened construction periods and uniform construction quality
- Applicable in narrow spaces, steep slopes, and waterfronts
- Compatible with underwater construction

Major Implementation Track Record:
This technology has been adopted for restoration works on National Route 249 following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, restoration works on the Tsukada River following the 2024 Okunoto torrential rains, emergency restoration of the Suemasa River following the 2018 Western Japan torrential rains, and slope improvement work for the Maiko Viaduct (completed July 2025).

Future Outlook:
Leveraging this 'Recommended Technology' selection, the company will further promote Concrete Canvas nationwide and expand its proposal activities to government agencies, municipalities, and the disaster response sector.