When you step outside and look around, odds are you see some form of concrete, whether a sidewalk, a bridge, or a parking structure. Globally, concrete is the most used building material, supplying immense strength and versatility to seemingly endless construction projects. Overall, concrete is often the ideal choice for constructing everything from homes to industrial warehouses.
One important question has been at the center of the industry for decades — is concrete a sustainable material? Despite concrete’s valuable characteristics, it is not perfect, especially when it comes to its environmental impact, and sustainability is more concerning than ever. Learn more about concrete’s sustainability issues and the future of eco-friendly concrete below.
The main components of concrete are cement, water, aggregates, and, in some cases, admixtures. Typically, the aggregate is first added to the mixer, followed by the cement, and then the water and admixtures, which may be additional chemical or mineral ingredients meant to modify the concrete’s characteristics. Once combined, the cement reacts to the water and binds the aggregates into a harder material known as concrete.
While the concrete production process can have environmental implications, especially when made in large batching plants that rely on fossil fuels, the real issue lies with cement. The cement creation process is responsible for billions of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Additionally, it can lead to air pollution issues that contribute to smog and sickness and immense water usage that causes shortages.
Ultimately, with the need for concrete comes the need for cement. As the construction market expands to meet demand, cement production is also growing around the world to create the necessary concrete for different building applications. The never-ending need for concrete means plenty of CO2 emissions challenges, but also numerous other sustainability issues as byproducts.
The production of cement and use of concrete have various negative environmental impacts:
CO2 emissions directly affect and contribute to climate change, specifically global warming. With every process that emits excess CO2, including cement production, the planet warms at unnatural rates. While CO2 and other gases are integral parts of the greenhouse effect at certain levels, increased concentrations of greenhouse gases result in more absorbed infrared radiation that creates amplified warming.
Since the Industrial Revolution, the Earth has become increasingly warm. This imbalance in the greenhouse effect has multiple consequences, including increasing extreme weather incidents and raising sea levels and ocean acidity. CO2 from cement production is not the only contributor to climate change, but it plays a significant role within an industry known for its climate implications.
The creation of cement and concrete requires immense amounts of water — approximately 25% of the concrete mixture is water. This water must come from somewhere, and sourcing so much of it to support demand raises significant sustainability concerns. As the need for water surpasses its supply in certain locations, communities experience health and sanitation issues, and the entire economy is affected.
Research estimates that by 2050, 75% of the water demand for concrete production will be in areas facing water stress, revealing yet another way in which concrete production is an environmental problem. CO2 emissions from industrial processes like cement production contribute to climate change, driving weather events like extreme heat and droughts that stress water sources. Then, water may be sourced from the same locations, exacerbating water scarcity and creating compounding effects.
Though greenhouse gas emissions are a top concern regarding cement production, so is the creation of air pollutants. Many cement production plants emit dangerous air pollutants like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide. According to the EPA, the cement industry is the third largest industrial source of pollution.
These pollutants are known to have negative effects. For example, sulfur dioxide is a primary cause of acid rain and can have implications for people with respiratory problems and heart conditions. With excess amounts of toxic substances in the air from cement production and numerous similar processes, various environmental and health issues arise.
Today, the construction industry is the largest worldwide emitter of greenhouse gases, partly due to the materials used in construction projects — including concrete. The good news is that numerous innovative products and processes have emerged to address its implications. There is no denying that concrete is an invaluable building material, so improving it — rather than getting rid of it — is the necessary approach.
Scientists, engineers, and researchers have presented solutions like alternative production energy sources, clinker replacement options for Portland cement, and carbon capture and sequestration technology for the kiln-heating process. Additionally, sustainable concrete is emerging. For example, ashcrete, hempcrete, and green concrete containing recycled material are a few ideas, as well as eco-friendly additives and reinforcements.
With enough investment into concrete sustainability advancements, the industry can continue to benefit from the most durable construction material around, all while reducing concrete’s environmental impact.
At FORTA, we offer sustainable construction solutions for optimized development. Specifically, our synthetic fiber reinforcement solutions play a significant role in supporting concrete sustainability. Improving the longevity of concrete leads to positive environmental outcomes, particularly because fewer resources are needed for replacements and repairs.
As companies look for ways to reduce their eco footprints, reinforcement solutions featuring fibrous materials stand out as a beneficial option. Compared to traditional rebar, welded wire mesh, and other steel reinforcement solutions, synthetic fibers have unique attributes that make them ideal for sustainability efforts. With our synthetic fiber reinforcement, concrete experiences:
FORTA-FERRO, our macro synthetic fiber reinforcement product, improves the toughness and longevity of concrete as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional reinforcement options. Its environmental product declaration increases transparency for sustainability measures.
This solution enhances concrete’s structural integrity while contributing to lower carbon emissions and better resource use, as fewer concrete replacements and repairs are necessary. It also eliminates the need for most steel reinforcements, further decreasing environmental impact by maximizing resources.
If you are searching for a sustainable reinforcement solution that offers crack reduction, temperature shrinkage control, and other construction benefits, synthetic reinforcement fibers for concrete are ideal. Learn more about FORTA-FERRO for your reinforcement needs, and contact us today for Reinforcement That Lasts.
