The virtues of concrete are more or less undisputed, as it combines a relatively low price point with unbeatable durability and longevity. However, an increasing number of people have voiced concerns about the long-term environmental impacts of concrete. These concerns don’t necessarily relate to the finished product—cured concrete is both inert and non-toxic—but rather, to the manufacturing process.
It requires massive amounts of both energy and water to produce concrete. Furthermore, the manufacture of the cement used in concrete tends to release a large amount of carbon dioxide gas. In fact, cement production generates the third highest amount of man-made carbon dioxide, following the transport and energy sectors.
To reduce the environmental impacts associated with producing concrete, more and more manufacturers are exploring eco-friendly options. Whether you work in the construction industry or are simply curious about green trends in building materials, you should learn more about cutting-edge environmentally friendly concrete options. The following article will outline two key breakthroughs.
Green Mix Concrete
A chief concern regarding traditional forms of concrete is its high reliance on non-sustainable materials. Cement and sand are the chief culprits in this regard. Of equal detriment, however, is the amount of energy required to transform these materials into the desired state. In addition to carrying a larger environmental footprint, this also causes the resulting products to carry a much higher price tag.
Researchers from Malaysia’s University Teknologi MARA have developed an interesting method for reducing both the cost and the environmental impact of concrete production. The product, known informally as green mix concrete, is characterized by the incorporation of green alternatives to traditional materials. These may include such things as:
- Recycled aggregate from old concrete
- Reinforcement fibers from recycled cans
- Fly ash from coal production
The last of these ingredients strikes many people as somewhat mysterious. Fly ash is the name of a byproduct of the coal production process. It can successfully replace the cement used in concrete; thus, making use of what would otherwise be a waste product. Better yet, the use of fly ash dramatically reduces the amount of emissions generated by cement and concrete manufacturing facilities.
CO2 Sequestering Concrete
As discussed above, one of the most significant downsides of cement production is the sheer volume of carbon dioxide it emits into the atmosphere. As you are likely aware, excessive levels of carbon dioxide present a direct threat to the ozone layer.
The huge amounts of CO2 released in manufacturing conventional cement are a direct result of the massive production temperatures. Scientists working for the British concrete manufacturer Novacem have developed an interesting work around, one that is capable of lowering the production temperatures of cement.
The key here is the incorporation of an alternative material called magnesium sulfate. This substance is widely available. In fact, estimates have placed the amount of magnesium sulfate on earth at around 10,000 billion tons. The key advantage of using this substance is that it allows the cement to be produced at much lower temperatures—limiting the release of carbon dioxide.
This incredible form of cement takes things one step further. According to the researchers’ claims, rather than emitting any carbon dioxide, cement produced using magnesium sulfate actually removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For every ton of cement produced in this way, up to 0.6 tons of CO2 may be eliminated.
Concrete has long proven to be a building material of undeniable excellence. Now it is also proving to be capable of responding to our changing sustainability needs. At Diamond Concrete Supply, we strive to be environmentally responsible in all that we do. To learn more about exciting trends in green concrete, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Diamond Concrete Supply.
