SUSTAINABILITY Russell Roof Tiles Manufacturing
Hanson is hoping to build a carbon capture and storage plant at its Padeswood works, which will connect to the planned HyNet CO2 transport and storage system. A feasibility study is being carried out at the site to provide a clear design and cost estimate for the next stage. “The HyNet project has the potential to reduce regional CO2 emissions by up to 10 million tonnes a year by 2030. This figure includes up to 800,000 tonnes from Hanson’s Padeswood plant and, if successful, could mean that we will be able to produce net zero carbon cement from the plant as early as 2027, which would represent a huge leap forward in our decarbonisation plans.”
The cement kiln at Hanson’s Ribblesdale cement works in Lancashire has been successfully operated using a mix of net zero fuels as part of a world first demonstration project using hydrogen technology. During the demonstration the proportion of fuels in the cement kiln’s main burner was gradually increased to a wholly net zero mix, which included tanker delivered hydrogen. The trial demonstrated the pathway to moving away from using fossil fuels in cement and concrete production and, if fully implemented for the whole kiln system, could save nearly 180,000 tonnes of CO2 at Ribblesdale alone, compared to using the traditional industry fuel of coal at the site.
Funded by BEIS through the Mineral Products Association, the success of the trial provides a further potential pathway contributing to net zero cement production and has the capability to be replicated across the industry and beyond.
Low carbon cement replacements are also increasingly being used. Simpson says that Regen GGBS (ground granulated blastfurnace slag) is used as a replacement for some of the cement content in concrete, grout and mortar. Its use reduces CO2 emissions, increases the long- term durability of structures and conserves natural resources for future generation.
“GGBS is a by-product of the iron making industry and its manufacture requires less than one third of the energy and produces less than 10% of the CO2 emissions of CEM I Portland Cement. GGBS also does not require the quarrying of new materials and prevents the slag used being disposed of as landfill.
“More than a third of all ready-mixed concrete deliveries in the UK contain GGBS and Hanson also supplies a bagged low carbon cement
July 2022
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
containing Regen GGBS, which reduces carbon emissions by around 50% compared to a standard CEM II.”
Paving and building products firm, AG, has also reinforced its position in sustainable construction through its latest investment in sustainable packaging at its Toome plant.
Sustainable practice
AG has invested in the new state-of-the-art T-Rex packaging as part of its overall environmental strategy and commitment to responsible and sustainable operating practice with the new system reducing carbon emissions.
The pioneering system, supplied by Kraft Curing Systems, uses 100% biodegradable pellets that are sprayed onto each product layer for added surface protection before the next layer is added on top, without compromising on the quality of the finished goods. The system replaces the customary foam layers which are traditionally set between layers to protect the product whilst in transit.
Customarily, the foam layers are disposed of by contractors on site, but the T-Rex packaging system uses granules which biodegrade naturally in-situ, removing the need for disposal. The investment in the packaging system allows AG to deliver on product requirements through a more efficient and sustainable method further reducing carbon emissions through drastically reducing the amount of packaging in their products.
The system highlights AG’s commitment to responsible operating practice and is the latest in a series of sustainability initiatives created by the firm which include switching to 100% renewable energy as well as utilising bio-LPG instead of the industry-standard LPG resulting in a carbon saving of 70% - equal to a person driving around the world three times. The business has also introduced electric and hybrid cars into their fleet with a goal of having a full hybrid/electric fleet by 2025 This latest investment was led by CEO Stephen Acheson with support from the firm’s net zero carbon team which was set up with the aim of reducing the company’s carbon footprint, as part of an energy strategy developed with a commitment to producing low carbon products. The firm, which has manufacturing locations in Fivemiletown, Dungannon, Toome, Ballygawley and Carryduff, already has one of the
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