Hanson’s sustainability effort

With scientists continually warning of the increasing problem of climate change, there is considerable global interest in sustainable construction.

Hanson is the UK’s largest producer of cement-related products and offers customers the potential to produce the most sustainable concrete available in the UK.

The company has made significant investments in its environmental performance and is now the UK’s lowest producer of CO₂ per t of Portland cement manufactured – 5% less than the industry average – achieved through using the most energy-efficient dry-process kilns.

These burn up to 60% biomass and other wastes as fuels, which would otherwise be disposed of without the energy being recovered.

Hanson is also the only UK producer of ground granulated blastfurnce slag (GGBS), which can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture of concrete by up to 50%.

GGBS usually replaces half of the Portland cement used to make concrete, but can be used up to 70% or more. It can be used in all parts of a structure including piling, ground beams, columns, floors and roofs.

One of the reasons GGBS is sustainable is due to the way it is manufactured. It is a by-product of the iron-making industry so does not require the quarrying of new materials and the slag used as cement will not be disposed of as landfill.

Each year, the UK uses over 2 million t of GGBS as cement. This:

• Reduces CO₂ emissions by almost 2 million t.

• Reduces primary energy use by 2000 million kWh.

• Saves 2.5 million t of quarrying.

• Saves a potential landfill of nearly 2 million t.

• Greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

• Acidification by 34%.

• Winter smog by 34%.

• Eutrophication by 32%.

• Primary energy requirements by 29%.

As well as its sustainability credentials, GGBS can also improve the long-term durability of structures, as well as creating concrete of a lighter colour (particularly at higher addition rates), making it more visually appealing.

Hanson also offers pulverised-fuel ash (PFA), which can be combined with Portland cement to produce a wide range of cementitious products. PFA is a by-product of coal-fired power stations, offering sustainability benefits, and can be used to produce concrete with lower weight to volume ratios as well as enhanced durability.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/10022010/hanson%E2%80%99s_sustainability_effort/