MARMAC® CONCRETE PROTECTION SYSTEM

Stop Sewer
Corrosion
Before It Starts

The Ultimate Defense Against Microbial-Induced Corrosion

Concrete sewer systems, manholes, wastewater & stormwater infrastructure fail early — not from age, but from microbial-induced corrosion (MIC). MarMac®’s two-product protection system delivers inside-out, lifetime defense that can extend serviceable life beyond 90 years.

$15B+

Annual U.S. Sewer Repair Costs

D+

ASCE Rating for U.S. Sewer Systems

90+

Year Serviceable Life, Treated

99.999%

Bacterial Kill Rate (ISO 22196)

THE PROBLEM

MIC is destroying your
Infrastructure

"The primary cause of sanitary sewer & stormwater system failure is Microbial-Induced Corrosion — and most of it is entirely preventable."

In anaerobic sewer environments, sulfate-reducing bacteria thrive in biofilm on pipe walls, converting sulfates into hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S). That gas reacts with moisture to produce sulfuric acid — relentlessly eating away at your concrete from the inside out through three progressive stages.

Untreated concrete manholes and pipe reach structural failure in as few as 25 years. For municipalities, that means emergency repairs, service disruptions, environmental liability, and the ongoing political cost of failing public infrastructure.

3 Stages of MIC in Untreated Concrete

1
Acidic gas exposure

CO₂ & H₂S lower concrete surface pH. Microorganisms begin to colonize. Onset: 0–10 years.

2
Bacterial Colony Growth

Thiobacillus biofilm thrives as pH drops below 4. Sulfuric acid production accelerates. Years 10–20.

3
Cement Binder Attack

Acid penetrates porous concrete, destroying the cement binder. Structural failure imminent. Years 20–25.

Conventional remedies — thicker walls, denser mixes, fiber reinforcement — only delay failure. They do not address the source: thiobacillus bacteria.

THE SOLUTION

Two products. Total protection.

MarMac®’s two-product system addresses all three stages of MIC simultaneously — built into the concrete matrix and applied to its surface — delivering the most comprehensive corrosion protection available for concrete sewer infrastructure.
Concrete Admixture • Built-in Protection

AMX 5500

Microban®-powered Antimicrobial
AMX 5500 is a liquid antimicrobial admixture added directly to the concrete mix before casting. Powered by Microban Antimicrobial Technology™, it introduces molecular-spike structures throughout the concrete matrix that rupture bacterial cell walls on contact — 24/7, for the lifetime of the structure. It won’t wash out, break down, or fade.
Concrete Coating • Barrier Protection

PSC 2306

Silicone polymer surface defense
PSC 2306 is a one-part, polymeric surface coating applied to new or existing concrete structures. It creates a highly hydrophobic, chemical-resistant barrier that prevents water, sulfuric acid, and other corrosive agents from penetrating the concrete — dramatically slowing the stages of MIC and replacing the need for hazardous coal tar epoxy coatings.
COMBINED SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Together,they beat MIC at every stage.

Used in conjunction, AMX 5500 + PSC 2306 form a complete, layered defense system. The hydrophobic properties of PSC 2306 block corrosive liquid from reaching the concrete surface, while AMX 5500 fights bacteria from within the concrete matrix – the same dual approach used in the world’s most demanding wastewater & stormwater infrastructure.

💧
PH DEFENSE

AMX 5500's high-alkaline formulation extends the initial pH buffer period, majorly delaying the onset of microbial colonization.

🛡️
ACID BARRIER

PSC 2306's hydrophobic polymer barrier prevents acidic water from penetrating the concrete matrix, stopping acid attack on the cement binder.

🦠
BACTERIA ELIMINATION

Microban® molecular spikes in AMX 5500 continuously rupture bacterial cell walls, preventing colonies from ever establishing themselves.

Treated Manholes
Reach 90+ Year Service Life*

~25

Years - Untreated

92+

Years - Combo System Treated

*Based on extensive third party & internal lab testing, dependent upon proper surface preparation/product application and environmental factors out of MarMac®'s control.
THIRD-PARTY VALIDATION

Tested. Proven. Certified.

Our Concrete Protection System has been rigorously tested by independent microbiological laboratories and academic institutions. The results speak for themselves.
Oregon State University-
College of Engineering
ASTM C1904 Standard
AMX 5500 is “extremely effective at reducing the strength loss of the cement due to MIC.” Treated concrete maintained structural integrity for over 8.5× longer than untreated in acid soak testing.
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
ISO 22196 (JIS Z2801) Standard
AMX 5500 “exhibited a microbial kill of >99.999%” after just 24 hours of exposure — a 5-log reduction that confirms its extraordinary efficacy against the bacteria responsible for MIC.
PSC 2306 Adhesion Testing
ASTM D7234 Standard
PSC 2306 adhesion to concrete consistently exceeds the break strength of the cementitious substrate itself – meaning the coating will outlast the surface it protects when properly applied.
AMX 5500 Chemical Resistance Testing
ASTM C1898 Standard (Modified)
After 17 weeks of concentrated acid exposure, treated concrete had lost only 8.5% mass vs. 47.6% for untreated — projecting a 90+ year serviceable life for treated manholes and pipe.
PSC 2306 Chemical Resistance Testing
ASTM C1898 Standard (Modified)
In the majority of the solutions tested, the untreated samples were severely compromised, while PSC 2306-treated specimens showed no evidence of breach of the coating.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Make infrastructure last for generations.

Our engineers are ready to work with you to get AMX 5500 & PSC 2306 specified and approved for your municipality or project. Fill out the form for additional information and we’ll be in touch quickly, or request a free PDH-credited Lunch & Learn for your team.

MarMac AIS logo AMX 5500 with Microban Antimicrobial concrete admix

Concrete Admixture

AMX 5500
Concrete Admixture AMX 5500 - Microban Antimicrobial logo - MarMac AIS

1 Microbial-Induced Corrosion (of Concrete);  * Based on standard lab test method ASTM C1904-20.