Reducing long-term environmental impact across all local and global processes is our aim. We believe this can be achieved by striving to develop solutions for the sustainable society of tomorrow. With clearly defined objectives, compliance accountability, common development and constructive dialogue, we aim to be our customer’s first choice concrete producer.
At Thomas Concrete Group, we have worked with Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for many years. By assessing the environmental impact at all stages of the concrete life cycle, we can prioritize and adapt our sustainability work and our process and product development.
Raw Materials
The LCA of concrete shows that most of the environmental impact originates from the acquisition and production of required raw materials. The impact is mainly due to the significant emissions of carbon dioxide from cement, which is one of the binders in concrete. As much as 90 % of the carbon emissions released in concrete production come from cement.
Production and Distribution
The production of the concrete itself has relatively low environmental impact. Energy is used to mix the concrete and to heat and cool water and aggregates during hot and cold seasons. Concrete is produced near the construction site with local raw materials, which reduces the impact of transportation on the environment and society.
Operation, Maintenance and Use of Concrete Structures
Concrete is a durable material with a long service life. It requires little to no maintenance, and its ability to store both heat and cold saves energy. A concrete structure absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its entire life span. This completely natural process is called carbonation, and it does not affect the properties of the structure. Up to 20 % of the carbon dioxide released during construction can be absorbed over the structure´s lifetime. From a life cycle perspective, concrete has little impact on the environment.
End of Life
Concrete is 100 % recyclable, and once crushed, concrete absorbs CO2 at an even faster rate.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an established method for calculating the environmental impact over the lifetime of a product. An LCA provides knowledge and information that can be used for prioritizing and focusing environmental work, for product and process development.
In the construction industry, the environmental impact from each stage of the life cycle of a product is calculated. These life cycle stages include raw material extraction, manufacture of building materials, construction process, operation and maintenance, and recycling.
The lifetime that is analyzed must be the same as that required by the developer or building standard, which is usually more than 100 years.
An EPD is a statement of the environmental performance of a product. The declaration is third-party audited, verified and registered in an EPD system.
The EPD does not need to cover all stages of the building’s life cycle. The stages that are covered are indicated in the EPD. The EPD does not always comment on the lifetime or function of the product, which are important parameters when assessing the environmental impact of a building.
Thomas Concrete Group has a vision to reduce its long term environmental impact in all local and global processes. We will continually strive to develop solutions for a sustainable society of tomorrow.
Our Team mission is to integrate all business measures to reach this goal. By clear defined objectives, compliance accountability, common development and good dialog, we desire to be our customer’s first choice as their concrete producer.
We clearly care for the environment of the present and future generations.
Permits, Regulations and Industry Requirements will always be treated as our minimum level of environmental performance.
