A century-proven material · Two decades of E-Crete

The history of AAC & E-Crete

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete has been built worldwide for a hundred years. E-Crete brought a patented, lower-cost production approach to North America — and the timing for manufacturers has never been better.

The Origins of AAC

Invented in 1923. Proven on every continent.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete was invented in 1923 by Swedish engineer Dr. Johan Eriksson, Professor at the Royal Technical University in Stockholm. His breakthrough combined three qualities no single building material had offered before:

The workability of wood
The durability of concrete
Structural insulation in one material
The E-Crete Story

From a Swedish patent to American building code

1990
G. Svanholm Engineering files world patents for a new approach to manufacturing Autoclaved Aerated Concrete — the basis of the proprietary 3AC technology.
1993
An R&D effort begins with Masco Corporation to create a new American residential shell solution using AAC.
1995
Testing of AAC begins with U.S. code officials and code agencies to establish performance and approval pathways.
1997
12 test homes are built with Pulte Corporation and the International Bricklayers Union in Arizona — proving the value of AAC in the field.
1999
The E-Crete brand is created, and the first U.S. Svanholm 3AC factory is built in Casa Grande, Arizona — a joint venture with Kinross Gold Corporation.
2001
E-Crete AAC begins shipping throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California.
2003
The TruStone America group raises $10M through union-friendly private equity fund Landmark Capital to build a second U.S. Svanholm 3AC plant in Vineland, New Jersey.
2005
TruStone AAC begins shipping throughout New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
2007
After 12 years of work with the International Code Council, AAC is published in the International Building Codes (Chapter 8, Section A) — code officials can now inspect and approve AAC for residential and commercial construction across the United States.
How AAC Is Made

A continuous, low-waste production line

01
Raw materials

Sand or fly ash, lime, cement, water, and aluminum flake.

02
Mill & mix

Ball-milled slurry is blended with precise aluminum dosing.

03
Cast & rise

The mix is poured into molds where it expands and sets.

04
Wire cutting

Green cakes are wire-cut to exact block and panel sizes.

05
Autoclave curing

High-pressure steam curing recovers and reuses water and heat.

06
Palletize

Finished product is handled, stacked, and wrapped.

07
Recycle trim

Production trimmings are fully recycled — no hazardous waste.

08
Deliver

Market-ready blocks and panels ship to regional demand.

Why builders choose AAC

Workability of wood Durability of concrete Structural insulation Lightweight Fire resistant Thermally efficient Superb strength Highly adaptable Mold resistant

A hundred years proven. The opportunity is now.

If it's time to expand your product line, E-Crete can help you evaluate AAC manufacturing for your market.

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