Global Concrete News

UK: Cemex UK says that it has achieved a 30% reduction in the CO₂ emissions of its mortars range, enabling it to bear the company's Vertua sustainability label. The producer said that it has incorporated its Vertua CEM II A-L Portland limestone cement (PLC), alongside new admixture technology, in its mortar mixes. It added that it has upgraded drying processes in its mortar production, increasing energy efficiency.

Cemex's Europe regional mortars production manager Andy Bright said “By utilising designed mortar formations, we have been able to make a considerable carbon reduction to the products in our mortars range. These products are prized by our customers because of their strong performance and strength, flexibility of supply and wide range of colours and we are confident they will appreciate the opportunity to choose a more sustainable product too.”

India: Shree Cement plans to set up a ready-mix concrete network in its resident Indian market. The network will consist of five ready-mix batching plants. The Business Standard newspaper has reported that the cement company expects to commission the new concrete capacity before the end of the current financial year on 31 March 2024.

US: Geopolymer cement and concrete producer Renca has supplied its geopolymer 3D printing mortar for the construction of a house in the Western US. The product contains no cement, lime or gypsum due to the non-hydraulic binding properties of the mortar. It contains industrial by-products and has a faster setting time than mortar produced with ordinary Portland cement (OPC), as well as 90% lower CO₂ emissions.

Renca said that its geopolymer mortar performed well despite the desert setting of the project, with dramatic changes in temperature. It added, "Even though geopolymer mortars require a specific approach towards the mixing procedure and, unlike cementitious-based products, need to be mixed in a batch mixing system, this milestone opens new horizons. Renca's current research and development seeks to develop a one-component geopolymer mortar for continuous mixers, as well as a 2K system where you can control the setting time right at the nozzle."

US: C-Crete Technologies supplied its binder for a pour of 60t of cement-free concrete at a construction site in Seattle, Washington. CNNW News has reported that the binder replaces cement, eliminating 1t of CO₂ emissions per tonne of concrete.

C-Crete Technologies president Rouzbeh Savary said "We are thrilled to introduce our cement-free concrete, a game-changer in sustainable construction.” He added “Given that our product meets industry standards and has cost-parity with conventional concrete, it opens up an entirely new era in construction."

North America: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has partnered with consultancy WAP Sustainability to launch an on-demand environmental product declaration (EPD) service for concrete products. The partners say that their EPDs will allow concrete producers to show the impacts of their products across metrics including CO₂ emissions. This is in line with current market trends, including increasing Buy Clean initiatives in federal and state procurement under the Inflation Reduction Act.

GCCA's concrete and sustainable construction director Andrew Minson said “The cement and concrete sector is playing a key part in sustainable construction, but this requires transparent, objective and accessible data on the environmental impact of our products. Our collaboration with WAP will allow concrete producers to quickly and cost effectively produce EPDs that can demonstrate the contribution of their products to a sustainable world of tomorrow.”

WAP Sustainability’s EPD director James Salazar said “WAP’s partnership with the GCCA leverages the GCCA’s industry-leading computation engine with WAP’s easy-to-use software and full-service support. As requirements for EPDs grow, we’re excited to offer credible and low-cost solutions through close partnerships with industry leaders like the GCCA.”