The most recent New Buildings Institute (NBI) report presents language to incorporate embodied carbon requirements in codes, and explains the need for jurisdictions to address such criteria for materials or products with the highest carbon dioxide emissions factors. “Lifecycle GHG Impacts in Building Codes” presents potential CO2 benchmarks or thresholds for ready mixed concrete, rebar and structural steel based on…
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Cement, concrete, and carbon conversation turns to intellectual honesty and plausibility
A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) survey of cement and concrete production builds on U.S. General Services Administration measures, noted here last month, to guide federal construction procurement policy toward lower embodied carbon levels in finished structures. Along with the Departments of Defense and Transportation, General Services stands to favor material or product specifications backed by carbon data presented in…
Read MoreCarbonBuilt, Master Builders team to advance low carbon mixes, products
Sources: CarbonBuilt, Los Angeles; Master Builders Solutions, Cleveland; CP staff A CarbonBuilt and Master Builders Solutions collaboration will focus on formulating admixtures augmenting the former company’s low carbon concrete technology platform. CarbonBuilt’s Reversa process uses carbon dioxide to optimize portland cement contents in mix designs and raise finished concrete performance. New admixtures developed with Master Builders Solutions could position CarbonBuilt…
Read MoreConcrete-AI draws investors, recruits Master Builders veteran
Sources: Concrete-AI, Los Angeles; CP staff Mix design software developer Concrete-AI has raised $2 million in a seed financing round with participation by the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, a prominent family office, and other marquee investors. The investment will accelerate rollout of the firm’s pioneering data science platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning…
Read MoreSound carbon guidance
By Don Marsh An energy market-driven nonprofit, RMI, offers credible perspective in its just-released Concrete Solutions Guide, geared to construction interests taking stock of the carbon dioxide emissions factor behind their project materials, products and methods. Posted at www.rmi.org, the document presents specific opportunities for “a nearly ubiquitous material with a sizable climate impact” and expands on the need to…
Read MoreCemex outlines double-digit CO2 emissions reduction plan through 2030
Source: Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V., Monterrey, Mexico
A new Climate Action strategy positions Cemex to clip net specific carbon dioxide emissions 35 percent across a global cement, concrete and aggregates enterprise against a 1990 baseline level. The producer defined an additional double-digit percent reduction target for the decade ahead on top of a 22-plus percent CO2 emissions cut realized since climate change concerns gained prominence and spotlighted carbon-intensive sectors.
Read MoreCarbon wise, cement naive
Portland Cement Association’s European counterpart adds valuable perspective to a cement production and climate change dialog, responding to critics of member companies’ European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) participation.
Read MoreHeidelberg, Lafarge host global Cement Sustainability Initiative Forum in Vancouver
Sources: Cement Association of Canada (CAC), Ottawa; CP staff
Members of CAC and peers from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) are convening October 1-3 in British Columbia to exchange ideas on best production, environmental management and market development practices. CAC is a partner with CSI in the Vancouver gathering, themed “Sustainable Construction: Building Tomorrow’s World” and hosted by the operators of the province’s two cement mills, Heidelberg Cement and Lafarge Canada.
Read MoreSupplementary binders help global cement industry cut CO2 emissions 17 percent
Sources: World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Geneva; CP staff
The WBCSD Cement Sustainability Initiative’s Getting the Numbers Right (GNR) database indicates producers reduced specific net carbon dioxide emissions per ton of cementitious product to 1,261 lb. (629 kg/tonne) in 2011 from 1,515 lb. (756 kg/tonne) in 1990.
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