Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound. (2024)

A STARTLING FACT

Concrete, which is used throughout the world in buildings, dams, roads and other construction projects, is the second most consumed substance on earth after water. The main ingredient in the most widely used concrete is Portland cement, which accounts for about 5% to 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Portland cement is made by heating limestone and other materials to extreme temperatures, causing greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere at a rate of one ton of carbon dioxide for every ton of cement produced.

Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound. (1)
Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound. (2)

A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Traditional Portland cement is produced by mining and depositing a calcium source mineral, a silicon source mineral and other materials into a large rotary kiln. The kiln is heated between 2,300° to 3,000° Fahrenheit using coal, natural gas or other hydrocarbons creating a particle called clinker. This clinker is placed into large grinders where calcium sulfate is added, resulting in Portland cement. The energy requirements and greenhouse gas release is significant throughout the process.

A SUPERIOR SOLUTION

Geopolymer concrete—the economical, more durable, and environmentally friendly concrete with a carbon footprint of only about 10% of Portland cement. Our product is made by recycling waste from fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (a steel production waste) and other naturally occurring minerals from around the world. We offer tremendous environmental benefits: decreased CO2 output, energy reduction, preservation of virgin resources, reduced landfill requirements and profound water savings.

Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound. (3)
Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound. (4)

UNIQUE PRODUCTION

The production of Geopolymer cement does not require heating at all. Instead, various minerals and silicates are blended together, resulting in cement that is of a significantly higher quality than Portland cement and is batched at traditional ready-mixed concrete facilities using identical protocols.

Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound. (2024)

FAQs

Green Concrete | Environmentally Responsible And Economically Sound.? ›

Since green concrete uses industrial waste as one of its components, it helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill each year. Its production process is also more eco-friendly as it doesn't use as much cement, which requires a lot of energy to produce and emits harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

What concrete is environmentally responsible? ›

Ashcrete is sustainable because it repurposes coal waste and reduces the energy-intensive process of typical concrete production. It also uses less water. Research shows fly ash concrete requires about 10% less water than traditional concrete.

What are the disadvantages of green concrete? ›

Structures constructed with green concrete have less life than structures with conventional concrete. Split tension of green concrete is less than that of conventional concrete. Corrosion in the steel bars can also occur if the aggregates used are not free from corrosion leading agents.

What is the significance of green concrete? ›

It is created using waste materials like fly ash, slag, and recycled aggregate, reducing the consumption of natural resources and energy required in the production process. This makes green concrete a sustainable option that addresses the need for eco-friendly construction materials.

Is green concrete cheaper than normal concrete? ›

Less expensive to produce

The ingredients for green concrete are usually waste produced in the making of normal concrete. These materials are comparatively less expensive than the materials for normal concrete.

How is green concrete eco-friendly? ›

Green Concrete. Green concrete is a form of eco-friendly concrete that is manufactured using waste or residual materials from different industries, and requires less amount of energy for production. Compared to traditional concrete, it produces less carbon dioxide, and is considered cheap and more durable.

Why is concrete bad for the environment? ›

Carbon dioxide emissions and climate change

Cement manufacture contributes greenhouse gases both directly through the production of carbon dioxide when calcium carbonate is thermally decomposed, producing lime and carbon dioxide, and also through the use of energy, particularly from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Why is green concrete not used? ›

It requires more labour and time to mix, which can be a problem in large construction projects. The cost is higher than regular cement concrete because of the need to use more aggregate in the mix and for the use of a more expensive Portland cement with low magnesium content (for better strength).

Does green concrete cost more? ›

While green concrete is slightly more expensive to produce than traditional concrete, it offers cost savings in the long term. This is because it typically requires less maintenance and repair over its lifetime, which means lower ongoing costs for building owners and operators.

Why is green concrete cheaper? ›

Green cement is also cost-effective, as it is often cheaper to produce than traditional cement. This is because the materials used in its production are often waste products from other industries, making them readily available and less expensive.

Is green cement the future? ›

As the demand for eco-conscious building materials continues to rise, the development and adoption of green cement technologies will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of construction and infrastructure development.

Is green concrete better than conventional concrete? ›

There are multiple types of green cement that differ depending on the technology used to make them. Calcium sulfate aluminate cement needs lesser temperatures than conventional cement, and hence it reduces the energy consumption by 25%. This also leads to a 20% decrease in carbon emissions.

How much does green concrete cost? ›

For example, in California, the prices of green cement range from $100 to $160 per ton, while in Texas, it ranges from $80 to $120 per ton. In Europe, the cost of green cement is generally higher than in the United States, with prices ranging from €90 to €150 per ton.

Is there such thing as sustainable concrete? ›

In conclusion, sustainable concrete can be achieved through a combination of alternative materials, precast methods, energy-efficient production, recycling, and thoughtful design.

Is there such a thing as environmentally friendly cement? ›

Eco cement is a sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional cement. By using eco cement instead of traditional cement, builders can reduce their carbon emissions and make their construction projects more sustainable.

What is sustainable concrete material? ›

Sustainable concrete incorporates eco-friendly materials, such as SCMs and recycled aggregates, and utilizes processes that minimize CO2 emissions, waste, and resource consumption.

Is concrete construction environmentally friendly? ›

Concrete is, in fact, one of the best, most natural building materials to use when considering the environmental impact of construction and can actually help to protect our natural resources, earning concrete its place as the building material of choice for sustainability.

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