Construction

Tarmac's Pathway to Net Zero Concrete Production in the UK

Simon Chudley of Tarmac outlines the UK industry's ambitious steps towards achieving net zero in concrete production, emphasizing innovation and long-term solutions.

Photo: tarmac

In the UK, Tarmac is leading the charge towards net zero concrete production, a crucial move given concrete's status as the second most consumed material on Earth. Simon Chudley, Tarmac's national commercial technical manager, details the company's comprehensive approach to reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, which includes significant investments in low carbon cements and concretes, as well as exploring carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

The UK concrete and cement sector, responsible for about 1.5% of the country's CO2 emissions, has already achieved a 53% reduction in emissions since 1990, outpacing the decarbonization rate of the UK economy. Innovations such as Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) are reshaping the industry by offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional cements, with the UK concrete standard BS 8500 now permitting higher limestone content in concrete, effectively lowering CO2 emissions.

Tarmac's commitment to sustainability extends to exploring the use of hydrogen fuel for its large mobile plant and kilns and ensuring all its electricity supply comes from renewable sources. With the industry-wide collaboration on CCS and the development of electric mixer trucks, Tarmac is taking firm steps towards a 30% carbon reduction by 2030, aligning with the UK's net zero targets.

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