We use concrete everywhere but it comes at an environmental cost. So some Australian engineers are developing a greener alternative to help curb CO2 emissions. Green concrete significantly lowers carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete, with potential reductions of 30-80% depending on the mix. nstead of relying solely on Portland cement, green concrete incorporates materials like fly ash (a byproduct of coal-fired power plants), ground granulated blast furnace slag (a byproduct of steel production), and recycled concrete aggregates. Green concrete is engineered to meet or exceed the performance standards of traditional concrete, including strength, durability, and resistance to cracking and shrinkage. Green concrete is being used in various construction sectors in Australia, including infrastructure, buildings, industrial, marine, and geotechnical projects. Were you aware companies like Cement Australia and Holcim Australia are offering green concrete products, and research institutions like RMIT University are developing innovative low-carbon concrete mixes ?

Green concrete in the USA is gaining traction as a more sustainable alternative to traditional concrete, primarily by incorporating recycled materials and reducing carbon emissions. Several companies are actively developing and producing green concrete options, driven by both market demand and regulatory incentives. Eco Materials, Inc.: A major player aiming to be the largest green cement producer in the US, focusing on fly ash beneficiation. Holcim's ECOPact: A range of low-carbon concretes offering significant reductions in embedded carbon compared to standard concrete. Cemex's Vertua: A sustainable concrete solution for high-demand infrastructure projects, emphasizing both carbon reduction and high performance. Real Green Concrete: A company producing a binder with no Ordinary Portland Cement, utilizing industrial byproducts to lower carbon emissions. Argo Green Concrete Solutions Inc.: A new venture focused on incorporating bio-graphene derived from organic sources to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. Were you aware while there might be upfront costs, sustainable concrete can lead to long-term cost savings through reduced waste and potentially lower energy consumption?

Poly Pave asphalt incorporates recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, like from shampoo bottles and milk jugs, along with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). This innovative approach enhances the durability, tensile strength, rut resistance, and longevity of asphalt pavements. It also reduces the amount of plastic sent to landfills and lessens the impact on marine ecosystems. Increased Durability and Strength: The addition of recycled HDPE plastic and RAP strengthens the asphalt, making it more resistant to wear and tear. Improved Rut Resistance: Poly Pave asphalt is less prone to rutting, which is the development of depressions in the pavement surface under heavy loads. Environmental Benefits: By utilizing recycled materials, Poly Pave reduces the demand for virgin resources and diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans. Cost-Effectiveness: While specific costs can vary, the use of recycled materials can contribute to cost savings in asphalt production. Did you know there are Versatile Applications: Poly Pave can be used in various applications, including private streets, parking lots, access roads, and more ?

In Victoria's Laverton North; the Hub is responsible for recycling well over a million tonnes of recovered material every year to produce high quality, sustainable road building products like asphalt, aggregates, roadbase and sand. Using recycled glass to produce "Green Roads" asphalt, contributing to more sustainable road construction. They incorporate recycled glass bottles and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) into their asphalt mixes, reducing reliance on virgin materials and minimizing environmental impact. This initiative helps divert waste from landfills and lowers carbon emissions. At the same time, Alex Fraser commissioned its High Recycled Technology asphalt plant, which blends large quantities of recycled glass, asphalt, and plastics into sustainable Green Roads asphalt mixes. Did you know the plant has now recycled the equivalent of 5.7 billion glass bottles ?

In Zurich, Switzerland - August 4, 2020 LafargeHolcim announced working with IBM Services to further develop the first digital platform for road design optimization, ORIS. The solution can reduce road project costs by up to one-third and carbon emissions by up to half while tripling road durability and usage lifespans. ORIS allows decision-makers, road infrastructure authorities and project investors to improve road construction and sustainability and reduce inefficiencies through smart project design. An average of 700,000 kilometres (435,000 miles) of new roads are being built globally every year. Improving road quality and resilience will help reduce the massive amount of carbon emissions attributed to transportation. Because roads vary depending on location, climate, vehicle types and traffic volumes, it is a complex challenge to define the most sustainable and cost-effective mix of building materials and technologies early in the design phase. They committed to leading the way in low-carbon and circular construction as well as responsible natural resource consumption for roads and beyond.have Did you know they have already entered into pilots with different partners such as road authorities, international financing institutions and engineering firms to use ORIS in both developed and emerging markets ?