Construction Materials

Increasingly, concrete is being recognized for its life cycle environmental and economical benefits, from extraction and production, to construction, maintenance and disposal. There are solid facts that make concrete the right choice for effective sustainable development.

CO2 emission – The use of recycled materials in concrete reduces greenhouse gasses, frees up landfill space, and reduces raw material consumption. Concrete can also be used to permanently sequester CO2.

Recyclable – After a concrete structure has served its original purpose, the concrete can be crushed and recycled into aggregate for use in new concrete or as a backfill or road base.

Environmental and cost benefits – The use of concrete pavement and roofing in our urban areas and roadways means that more light is reflected and less heat is absorbed. This may result in significant energy savings and healthier and safer communities. Although it can have a higher upfront cost, it is usually more durable and longer lasting with less maintenance costs.

Reduces storm water waste – Pervious concrete is a strong type of pavement with a porous structure that allows rainwater to pass directly through the pavement and into the soil naturally.

Energy efficient – Buildings constructed of concrete have a unique energy-saving advantage because of their inherent thermal mass. In addition, insulated concrete wall systems are a technology that can be more energy-efficient than traditional or wood construction.

Durability – Concrete offers significant strength over other building materials. It can sustain natural disasters such as hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and tsunamis. Concrete conserves resources by reducing the need for reconstruction.