The pressing imperative to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is poised to bring about a profound transformation across all business sectors. With the world’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions within the next 30 to 40 years, it is evident that existing production methods, processes, and materials will undergo significant and unprecedented changes. Concrete, responsible for 8 percent of total global carbon emissions, emerges as a pivotal sector to decarbonize. Notably, the lion’s share of carbon emissions within concrete originates from cement, accounting for approximately 85-90 percent of its carbon footprint. As we look ahead, a paradigm shift in concrete mix composition is anticipated, with a pronounced emphasis on minimizing the cement component to its lowest attainable levels. This marks a complete reversal from prevailing practices.

The standard practice in RMC operations is rapidly shifting towards measuring and meticulously documenting the embodied carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions associated with each mix. This data is then made transparent through environmental product declarations (EPDs). This transformation underscores the importance of mix optimization, strategically selecting low carbon materials, stipulating specifications that favor low carbon concrete, opting for structural designs that necessitate less concrete and thus diminish the carbon footprint, and the incorporation of carbon-sequestering materials. In fact, materials that possess carbon-sequestering properties and can potentially have a carbon-negative impact are likely to be the preferred choice as we pave the way for the future of construction technology.

In our proactive efforts to be prepared for the future, we are joining forces with trailblazers in sustainability. Together, we are championing the implementation of specifications and practices that drive the adoption of low-carbon concrete and, ultimately, pave the path toward achieving zero-carbon concrete. Considering that an average M40 grade concrete in India, even with a 25 percent fly ash content, has an associated carbon footprint ranging from 380 to 400 kg of CO2 per cubic meter, the challenge of striving for low carbon concrete specifications, which seek nearly a 30 percent reduction from these levels, is indeed substantial.

Our collaboration extends to partnering with prominent specifiers and material suppliers to meticulously document the embodied carbon within concrete. This endeavor also involves aiding in the design of buildings that exhibit a markedly reduced carbon footprint, aligning with our commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.