A concrete piece of research?

The construction industry is responsible for two billion tonnes of carbon output annually - 6% of all human-generated carbon emissions.

RELATED ARTICLES: Top 10 world's tallest concrete buildings | Call for adoption of sustainable concrete | Qatar National Cement sees nine-month profits soar

In days gone by, sustainability and construction were rather like oil and water. The two never mixed. But with today’s eco-efficiency drive and global carbon-saving targets, this is no longer the case.

To exemplify the importance of sustainability in concrete production and use, studies suggest the construction industry is responsible for two billion tonnes of carbon output annually – 6% of all human-generated carbon emissions.

In the Middle East, production and use is particularly high, (Egypt and Iran producing and consuming most) due to heavy investment in development.

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

“Cutting the carbon footprint of the concrete industry requires collaborative efforts from manufacturers of cement, end-users and governments as it involves extra costs to produce low-carbon concrete,” says Zahid Mahmood, general manager of Material Lab UAE, a subsidiary of SS Lootah Group that tests construction materials.

Thus, as the pressure to go green piles on, the question is: how can concrete suppliers reduce the amount of CO₂ produced, and what methods are most likely to catch on in the current market?

Interestingly, a recent study of the global construction industry by Lux Research looked into precisely this.

As well as identifying three main ways of enhancing sustainability when it comes to concrete, one of the main things it suggested was that technologies which improve cement production – for example, the use of heat recovery or more fly ash and slag, are most likely to make headway.

Apparently, this is because they require minimal change on the part of cement manufacturers, whilst reducing energy consumption by up to 65% and CO₂ emissions up to 60%.

“New technologies must be commercially viable,” says the report’s author and Lux Research analyst, Oliver Tassinari. “While customers may consider sustainability and carbon emissions when adopting new technologies, cost and energy savings are the most important variables when adoption is considered by manufacturers.”

In addition to this finding, the report made two other suggestions. The first was that disruptive, alternative, cementious materials are unlikely to catch on in the near future; the second, that use of aerated and insulated concretes are likely to increase as the potential energy savings are more widely publicised.

“Low CO₂ alternative materials to Portland cement will have a poor shot at gaining support,” explains Tassinari about the former conclusion. “The materials are largely unproven and require substantial capital investment – leading to tremendous economic risks. Other barriers to adoption include demonstrating the materials’ performance under ASTM guidelines.”

But whether or not these views are echoed across the Middle East construction industry, characterised by an individual set of circumstances, goes without mention. Could this region have different views?

“Definitely,” says Tassinari. “Regionally, there will be different drivers and barriers affecting adoption of new technologies. In regions where energy and fuel are cheap, the push to adopt more efficient fuels will be lower.

Similarly, insulating concrete sees more take up in colder climates due to quick returns on investment. Regional differences in the availability of displacement materials like fly ash and slag will also vary.”

Certainly, cement manufacturers and other industry players can agree that technologies which improve cement production have the most potential. Unibeton Ready Mix’s environmental manager Ahmad Rushdi, is particularly convinced. “One way or another, the Middle East will adopt such technologies if they have not already been implemented.”

On the subject of whether or not alternative materials will gain popularity however, opinions are divided. “This is not accurate,” says Quick Mix Beton’s spokesperson. “We have seen increasing adoption in the construction field.”

Mahmood on the other hand, agrees with the study. He believes that while products such as magnesia-based cement and sulfo-aluminate cement are available, the high capital requirements and rapid setting time may put companies off. Rushdi is also of this view. “The initial capital cost could be a major obstacle, in light of the downturn.”

The final finding, that aerated and insulating concrete forms may gain support in the future, is also disputed.

“While most people believe that use of these concrete forms may increase due to energy-saving attributes, the reality is that buildings are more affected by glass cladding,” says Mahmood. On the contrary both Aldaly and Rushdi, agree with the former perspective.

These varying opinions in mind, is the study right? For the most part it seems to be, but whether the Middle East will fall in line with its counterparts as regards alternative materials and concrete forms, is far from set in stone.