World's Largest Concrete Companies Unite to Decarbonise Concrete and Cement

• Content
• Environment & Sustainability
• World's Largest Concrete Companies Unite to Decarbonise Concrete and Cement

20 December 2023

Ten of the world’s largest concrete companies and cement plants have pledged to make net-zero concrete and cement a reality.   

This includes brands such as Heidelberg, Cemex and Holcim.

Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) have developed a net-zero concrete and cement strategy that sets out milestones and commitments needed by government, industry and investors over the next 25 years.

The concrete sector currently generates 8 per cent of global CO2 emissions, which is more than aviation and shipping combined. And with the production of concrete and comment ramping up to meet global demand, urgent action is needed.

The report, “Making Net Zero Concrete and Cement Possible”, sets out the following targets:

• 22 per cent emissions reduction can be achieved on the demand side through efficiency improvements in construction and design reducing the volume of concrete needed without compromising safety or durability.   
• 25 per cent reduction can be achieved in process emissions on the supply side by deploying Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCMs) to decrease the use of clinker; whilst bringing alternative chemistries to the commercial stage.   
• 53 per cent of emissions can be reduced, eliminated or captured through a combination of fuel switch, power sector decarbonisation and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS).   

Mission Possible Partnership CEO, Faustine Delasalle, says: “Our report sets out precisely what needs to happen to make zero carbon concrete and cement a reality, but time is not on our side. The moment to roll up our sleeves and work together across the value chain and with governments is now. Immediate collaboration and cooperation – from producers through design and construction – together with policymakers and finance – is essential to making the necessary progress this decade.”

This year, multinational construction brand Laing O’Rourke mandated that low-carbon concrete options will be deployed on projects as a like-for-like substitute for traditional concrete. This change follows a long-term research programme co-funded by Laing O’Rourke and Innovate UK, and in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Sheffield University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Picture: a photograph of people spreading some cement using a square-edged shovel. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 20 December 2023

Share

Related Articles