This article highlights significant advancements in low-carbon concrete innovations, spearheaded by the Skanska Costain Strabag (SCS) joint venture and other industry leaders.
- The SCS joint venture is set to expand its use of an eco-friendly alternative to Portland Cement, backed by Innovate UK funding.
- Sisk and other companies have received grants to drive the decarbonisation of the concrete sector, a major move towards sustainable construction.
- Key partnerships are leveraging excavated London Clay to replace Portland Cement, promising substantial carbon reductions and cost savings in projects.
- Innovate UK aims to accelerate innovation in concrete decarbonisation through its Concrete Commitment Cohort initiative.
The Skanska Costain Strabag (SCS) joint venture has taken a groundbreaking step in scaling the production of an environmentally friendly alternative to Portland Cement. This venture capitalises on a £3.2 million award from Innovate UK aimed at promoting sustainable construction practices. By calcining London Clay, excavated during their extensive 21km tunnelling project for HS2, SCS is pioneering its use as a substitute for traditional cement in the project’s enduring structures.
Sisk, among the seven teams funded by Innovate UK, is focusing on accelerating the decarbonisation of the concrete industry. The investment supports their collaboration with experts such as Ecocem and Ramboll on a demonstrator project that will incorporate low-carbon structure innovations at Wembley Park. The expectation is to achieve a remarkable 70% reduction in carbon emissions from cement manufacture.
In a joint effort, SCS collaborates with various stakeholders, including HS2, Arup, Tarmac, and the University of Leeds, to perfect the integration of calcined clay into concrete. Early testing results have been described by Skanska as ‘very promising,’ suggesting significant carbon reduction potential alongside cost savings on projects comparable in scope to HS2.
Sisk’s innovation and design director, Sarah-Jane Piscotti, has highlighted the consortium’s robust approach in harnessing technical expertise essential for fostering sustainability within the industry. This project underscores a commitment to building a sustainable future for communities.
Innovate UK’s initiative does not stop with these ventures. Funding was also allocated to projects by Cemcor and Cocoon Carbon, among others, each exploring unique methodologies for reducing the carbon footprint of cement. These initiatives, linked through Innovate UK’s Concrete Commitment Cohort, aim to promote a market for purchasing low-carbon concrete upon successful development.
Innovate UK innovation lead Stafford Lloyd emphasised the diversity of these endeavours, noting their potential to reshape cement production and research. These projects represent the cutting-edge of efforts to innovate within the sector and ambition to push forward sustainable alternatives.
The concerted effort by industry leaders and Innovate UK marks a pivotal shift towards sustainable construction practices in the UK.
