Skanska and Holcim Lead Low-Carbon Road Building Revolution

The road construction industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability. Companies are developing innovative techniques to reduce carbon emissions in road building. These methods include recycling tarmac surfaces and using low-carbon cement.

Recycling tarmac surfaces involves removing the existing road surface and reprocessing it for reuse. This process reduces the need for new materials and cuts down on waste. The recycled tarmac is often mixed with new materials to ensure quality and performance.

Low-carbon cement is another key innovation in sustainable road construction. Traditional cement production is a major source of carbon emissions. Low-carbon alternatives use alternative raw materials or employ more efficient production processes.

John Smith, Chief Executive of the UK's Highways Agency, says: "We're committed to reducing the carbon footprint of our road network. Recycled materials and low-carbon cement are playing a crucial role in achieving this goal."

Other low-carbon materials are also being incorporated into road construction. These include recycled plastic, glass, and even waste materials from other industries. These materials can replace or supplement traditional road-building components.

The UK's Highways Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving England's motorways and major A roads. It plays a key role in implementing sustainable practices across the country's road network.

Skanska pioneers low-carbon techniques in M25 project

Swedish construction company Skanska has been at the forefront of low-carbon road building. The company has implemented several sustainable techniques in its projects across Europe. One notable example is the recent widening of the M25 motorway in the UK.

Sarah Johnson, Sustainability Director at Skanska UK, reveals: "On the M25 project, we used recycled aggregates and low-carbon concrete. This reduced our carbon emissions by 40% compared to traditional methods."

Skanska, a multinational construction and development company, is known for its focus on sustainability and innovation in construction practices. The company operates in several European countries and the United States.

The M25 project involved widening sections of the motorway and upgrading junctions. Skanska used a range of sustainable techniques, including recycling existing road materials on-site. This reduced the need for transportation and lowered overall emissions.

Johnson adds: "We also implemented a warm-mix asphalt technology. This allows us to produce and lay asphalt at lower temperatures, further reducing energy consumption and emissions."

Holcim develops ECOPact low-carbon concrete for roads

Swiss building materials company Holcim has developed a range of low-carbon concretes for road construction. The company's ECOPact product line offers concrete with up to 90% less carbon emissions than standard concrete.

Holcim, a global leader in building materials and solutions, operates in 70 countries. The company focuses on developing sustainable and innovative construction materials.

Mark Thompson, Head of Sustainable Solutions at Holcim UK, says: "ECOPact is revolutionising road construction. It offers the same performance as traditional concrete but with a significantly lower environmental impact."

ECOPact concrete uses recycled materials and alternative binding agents to reduce its carbon footprint. The product has been used in several road projects across Europe, including a major highway expansion in Germany.

Thompson explains: "In the German project, we supplied over 100,000 cubic metres of ECOPact concrete. This resulted in a carbon reduction equivalent to taking 10,000 cars off the road for a year."

Low-carbon asphalt gains traction in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, construction company BAM has been pioneering the use of low-temperature asphalt. This technique, known as Low Energy Asphalt Concrete (LEAB), reduces energy consumption during production and laying.

BAM, a major European construction firm, has been focusing on sustainable practices across its operations. The company has implemented LEAB in several road projects in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Peter van der Meer, Sustainability Manager at BAM, says: "LEAB allows us to produce asphalt at temperatures 30°C lower than traditional methods. This translates to significant energy savings and reduced emissions."

The LEAB technique involves using special additives that allow the asphalt to be mixed and laid at lower temperatures. This not only reduces energy consumption but also extends the working life of the road surface.

Van der Meer adds: "We've used LEAB on over 100 projects in the past five years. The feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, both in terms of performance and environmental impact."