Sustainable construction

We continue to develop products that deliver a low carbon impact through reduced energy, greater use of recycled material, or reduced raw materials to produce the same performance. We produce a cement replacement called Regen (ground granulated blast furnace slag) which reduces embodied CO₂ in concrete and provides a number of other benefits. We are developing concrete mixes with higher Regen content as well as communicating the CO₂ benefits of these products to customers.

Our asphalt division has kicked off a multi-million pound investment programme to reduce energy consumption, increase the use of recycled products and improve the reliability of its plants. The move is being made in anticipation of a significant upturn in government and local authority spending on highway maintenance over the next two to three years to halt further deterioration of the national and local road network in the face of heavier traffic flows and unpredictable weather.

A four year business and investment plan is focused on improved control systems, technology to reduce energy consumption, and modifications to ensure all our plants are capable of using recycled asphalt planings (RAP) in new asphalt mixes. It also entails renewing old or obsolete plants and purchasing new mobile units to target major contracts and use when existing plants are upgraded.

We are full corporate members of the Supply Chain Sustainability School and participate in three groups – materials, horizon and infrastructure. The School is a collaboration between clients, contractors and suppliers who have a mutual interest in building the skills of their supply chain. We are also gold leaf members of the UK Green Building Council.