The BSI has released new guidance to help the construction industry reduce carbon emissions.
- A new code of practice outlines alternative binder systems as sustainable options.
- The guide provides a framework for assessing these alternatives in engineering projects.
- Nearly 90% of concrete emissions stem from traditional Portland cement.
- The guidance aims to empower engineers with sustainable choices in construction.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published comprehensive guidance entitled Lower Carbon Concrete – Alternative Binder Systems – Code of Practice (BSI Flex 350 Version 2). This pivotal document is intended to guide the construction industry towards more sustainable practices by advocating for the use of alternative binder systems (ABS) as substitutes for traditional Portland cement.
According to the European Ready Mixed Concrete Organisation, the United Kingdom uses approximately 11.7 million tonnes of Portland cement annually. This consumption is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for an estimated 90% of emissions related to concrete production. Thus, the newly introduced BSI guidance emerges at a critical juncture, championing alternative solutions.
The document delineates a structured framework for the assessment of ABS, which are pivotal in the shift towards lower-carbon concrete options. These systems include innovative materials such as geopolymers or alkali-activated materials, which present viable alternatives to the conventional cement binders used extensively today.
Clare Price, Sector Lead for the Built Environment at BSI, highlighted the significant role the built environment plays in the transition to net zero carbon emissions. She stated, “The built environment has a huge role to play in supporting the transition to net zero. This guidance is designed to empower engineers to make more sustainable choices in order to reduce carbon emissions in construction projects, while giving all involved the confidence in the suitability of chosen materials.”
The guidance also encompasses various recommendations on testing and monitoring these alternative systems to ensure compliance with performance expectations for diverse applications. This is crucial to facilitating their widespread acceptance and integration into standard construction practices.
The BSI’s new guidance paves the way for more sustainable building practices by encouraging the adoption of alternative binder systems in concrete production.
