| Abstract | Concrete production is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This white paper highlights the urgent need for innovative approaches that can achieve substantial GHG reduction while preserving the performance and integrity of concrete structures. Categorized emerging low-carbon concrete materials and technologies are explored and information-gathering questions are suggested to evaluate their suitability for an application. These technologies are aligned with the roadmap toward net-zero carbon concrete by 2050, developed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada in partnership with the Cement Association of Canada (CAC).
In section 2 of the paper categorizes low-carbon concrete innovations into the following key areas: Cement Replacements and Alternatives; Novel Concrete Additives and Fillers; Aggregate Substitutions; Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS); Alternative Energy Sources and Production Methods; Innovative Construction Practices. Each material and technology category is analyzed in terms of benefits, challenges, and practical implementation considerations.
The white paper also highlights the critical role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in quantifying the environmental impact of these solutions. Section 4 provides an overview of the fundamentals of EPDs, various types of EPDs, and Product Category Rules (PCRs). It includes a list of available industry-average EPDs for cement and concrete in Canada and discusses the importance of EPDs and PCRs in evaluating the environmental impact of concrete technologies. The section underscores the necessity for standardized tools and methodologies to ensure the transparency and comparability of environmental data, which are important for making informed decisions in construction projects.
In conclusion, this white paper provides a comprehensive overview for engineers and project managers considering new and emerging low-carbon concrete materials and technologies by categorizing and detailing innovative approaches to reducing emissions. It compares the emerging and established technologies within the supply chain to achieve net-zero carbon concrete by 2050. With increased use and demonstration, these new materials and technologies will expand the repertoire of strategies available to the construction sector. Thus, providing more potential efficiencies in cost, time, and GHGs for the future.
This is the second publication in a series on low-carbon concrete. Readers are encouraged to review the first publication “Low-Carbon Concrete: Sustainable Performance at an Affordable Price” (Greenis et al., 2023) as a foundation. https://doi.org/10.4224/40003155. |
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