PCA fills low-carbon cement and concrete guidance void

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.

Portland Cement Association’s newest reference, “Lower Carbon Concrete: Voluntary Guidelines for Developing a Protocol,” provides design professionals, contractors, code officials, elected representatives, non-governmental organizations, and the public with a balanced view of greenhouse gas emission, life cycle assessment and engineering factors central to construction project planning and specifications. The document frames a protocol in Materials to Achieve Lower Carbon Performance, Methods to Achieve Lower Carbon Concrete, and Metrics sections, takeaways from which include:

Performance specifications should be adopted and implemented.
Specifications should allow material and test method substitutions that demonstrate equivalent performance.
All sustainability impacts should be evaluated throughout the entire life cycle.
Risks involved in new or innovative materials or systems should be identified to determine the party responsible for them and how they can be addressed.
Metrics should report both operational and embodied carbon.

“The definition of ‘low carbon’ is becoming increasingly subjective, with little attention paid to either upstream and downstream impacts or short-term and long-term strength, durability, and resiliency concerns,” says PCA CEO Mike Ireland. “PCA is leading this effort as part of its ongoing commitment to achieve carbon neutrality.”

“Today’s climate demands cement manufacturers stay the course in efforts to decarbonize the industry,” adds Senior Vice President of Sustainability Rick Bohan. “The best catalysts to reach net zero that are at hand today are alternative fuels and lower-carbon cements. ‘Lower Carbon Concrete: Voluntary Guidelines’ should serve as a go-to resource for professionals in the cement, concrete, and construction industries aiming to provide more resilient and sustainable materials.”

The document reflects contributions from representatives of PCA members and allies: Cemex USA, Heidelberg Materials, Summit Materials, Titan America and Votorantim Cimentos to American Concrete Institute, American Concrete Pavement Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to the Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Highway Administration and National Institute of Standards and Technology.