National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) members have lowered their carbon footprint by 13% in five years, according to an association news release.
“The 13% reduction in carbon footprint is for 4,000 psi (pounds per square inch) concrete, the most frequently used concrete in the United States,” said James Bogdan, senior director, sustainability initiatives for NRMCA. “Carbon footprint reduction ranged from 8% for 2,500 psi concrete and 20% for 8,000 psi concrete.”
The reductions are mainly due to more efficient use of Portland cement, the primary binder used to make concrete. NRMCA’s performance-based specifications have helped eliminate prescriptive limits on concrete formulation such as minimum cement content and low water-to-cement ratio.
These limitations unnecessarily drive up cement content, the main contributor to carbon emissions, the release says. Some NRMCA members have lowered their carbon even more through innovation. For some applications and projects, concrete producers are incorporating technologies such as supplementary cementitious materials, low-carbon cements, and carbon capture to lower carbon footprint by 50% or more.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2019
AEC professionals should push for net zero projects
Educate and lead clients to more sustainable choices, says LEED fellow.
Codes and Standards | Jan 24, 2019
OSHA unaffected by federal government shutdown
Agency fully funded for first nine months of 2019.
Codes and Standards | Jan 23, 2019
Hackers can easily take control of construction cranes
Potential for serious harm is real, say researchers.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2019
Initiative will introduce open-source software for commercial and public building retrofits
Energy analysis tool will identify energy efficiency opportunities.
Codes and Standards | Jan 18, 2019
Texas city sues developer over changes in $1 billion mixed-use project
Revised plan eliminated 8-acre lagoon, trolley, show fountain, and reduced retail space.
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2019
First resilience benchmarks for U.S. communities released
Provides way to evaluate current state of resilience and guidance for areas of improvement.
Codes and Standards | Jan 16, 2019
California mass timber building competition kicks off January 15
Competition will award $500,000 in grants to teams who design innovative buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jan 15, 2019
Hazard mitigation provisions in codes save lives and protect property
New NIBS study finds that adopting 2018 Intl. Codes generate $11 benefit for every $1 invested.
Codes and Standards | Jan 10, 2019
Ontario building first to achieve zero-carbon designation by Canada GBC
Geothermal heating, living wall among notable features.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2019
Policymakers need to act to alleviate affordable housing crunch
Moody’s economist says costs including mortgage rates worsening situation.