The Irish Concrete Federation (ICF) has published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for representative ready-mixed concrete products manufactured by its members.
These independently verified declarations of the environmental performance of specific products feature a standardised format that ‘allows construction industry professionals and policymakers to compare the impacts of different materials’, the ICF said in a statement.
They allow engineers, architects, contractors, and policymakers to make informed choices based not only on carbon footprint (Global Warming Potential) but also on broader environmental metrics such as ozone depletion, acidification, nutrient richness in bodies of water, and the use of non-renewable resources.
The EPDs cover six core concrete mix types, including C16/20 blinding mix; C16/20 blinding mix with 30% cement replacement; C28/35 internal structural mix; C28/35 internal structural mix with 30% cement replacement; C32/40 foundation mix; and C32/40 foundation mix with 30% cement replacement.
Benefits and impacts
“Like all materials, there are environmental benefits and impacts associated with concrete,” commented Conor Hayes, ICF’s head of sustainability. “It is often not understood that concrete is not particularly carbon intensive when compared to other construction materials. Society uses so much concrete because it is durable and locally available.
“The publication of these EPDs shows the determination of the industry to progressively reduce its impact whilst still producing a quality, durable product”.
Pictured are Pat Barry (CEO, Irish Green Building Council), Conor Hayes (ICF Head of Sustainability) and Fernanda Rocha (Programme Administrator, EPD Ireland) launching the Irish Concrete Federation representative readymix Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Read more here.
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