Holcim and Paebbl have become the first to make an industrial floor slab using carbon-storing ready-mix concrete at a commercial scale
The first commercial carbon-storing floor slab has been put to use at an e-commerce logistics facility in Germany, covering 420 m2.
The new ready-mix replaced 15% of the traditional cement in the floor with Paebbl’s Rebond, slashing the concrete’s embodied carbon by 13%.
A demonstration of carbon-storing concrete outside of the lab
The intent is to show this new development in a practical and commercial use, rather than in pilot batches or lab testing. Furthermore, it showed that it can be achieved by several companies, rather than waiting for a standard to be set and other firms to adopt the standard.
It was found that this new mix shared the same important qualities as standard concrete, including workability, setting time, and finishing behaviour.
The process, from concept to pour, took less than half a year.
Ana Luisa Vaz, VP products at Paebbl, said: “Sustainable construction cannot rely on a single company acting alone. This project shows what becomes possible when a material innovator, a building materials and solutions provider, and a general contractor align around a shared ambition. The result is a concrete floor with permanently stored carbon, and we believe this model can inspire the entire industry. Without compromising on high-performance, we can decarbonise fast with an aligned value chain”.
Calcined clay has been used in homes for the first time
In a UK first, Brent Cross Town has recently seen the first use of calcined clay concrete in a housing project, replacing a portion of traditional Portland cement.
30% of the mix is calcined clay, reducing the embodied carbon by 10% and making use of a much more widely available material in the mix, being sourced from waste such as old bricks.
Tim Hoyland, environment manager at Related Argent said: “The successful application of calcined clay concrete in permanent works at Brent Cross Town is a significant step forward for sustainable construction in the UK. This material is a practical alternative to traditional cement replacement, enabling the industry to significantly reduce carbon emissions, support job creation and the circular economy.
“We are proud to lead by example and are committed to sharing our experience to encourage wider adoption of calcined clay concrete throughout the sector. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.”
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