Low carbon concrete
Concrete evolution - engineered low carbon solutions for construction
What concrete carbon rating do you want to achieve?
Tarmac has made it easy for customers to make more sustainable choices in concrete specification, we’ve made low carbon concrete selection simple. Tell us what rating you want to achieve from industry standard AA to G and we will supply the right low carbon concrete for your project requirements.
We have aligned our low carbon concrete supply to the Global Cement and Concrete Association Low Carbon Concrete Route map ratings. This means all you need to do is ask for CEVO concretes, tell us the carbon reduction percentage you want to achieve, and we’ll engineer the right low carbon concrete solution.
Simple. Strength + CO2 reduction = low carbon concrete
Lower carbon concrete is the future of design
We've aligned our low carbon concrete to the UK adaptation of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) Global Ratings for Low Carbon and Near Zero Concrete. This means complete transparency in achieving carbon reductions aligned to industry standards and no offsetting.
The UK adaptation addresses specific differences in waste emissions accounting (reporting “gross” GWP), concrete strength notation (cylinder vs. cube strength), and an extended strength range. This adaptation ensures compatibility with UK EPD practices while maintaining global consistency and comparability across GWP bands from AA to G. Importantly, the adaptation does not introduce new or UK-specific bands. Instead, it adjusts the presentation of existing bands to reflect gross GWP reporting, ensuring that local EPDs align with the UK’s version of global bands. To facilitate these adaptations, the GCCA collaborated with the Mineral Products Association (MPA). Data was gathered from UK cement manufacturers, focusing specifically on CEM I “gross” and “net” GWP EPD values.
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Advancing progress in the materials science of low carbon concrete
The update to the BS8500 British concrete standard allowing PLC cements to be used in combination with GGBS and fly ash has been a major focus in our concrete solutions evolution. Essentially, PLC cements allow up to 20% of the cementitious elements to be limestone filler, which replaces clinker, lowering the carbon emissions from cement. In 2025 we made available new PLC cements across all concrete designs.
Additionally, Tarmac has developed an alkali-activated material system (AACM). This product has also been used in full-scale demonstrations across the UK in the past two years, including by National Highways on a project on the M42. The next step is for appropriate standards to be developed to allow wider use of this AACM product, which has a much lower carbon footprint.
In 2025, following the standards changes we replaced CEM I 52,5N (PC) volumes, with CEM II A-LL 52,5N (PLC). This is a UKCA-marked cement, with limestone filler already built in, which can be used under the new BS 8500 standards. CEM II A-LL has equivalent performance, so helps to reduce carbon at concrete manufacture.
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Low Carbon solutions made simple
Industry aligned low carbon/Net Zero concrete supply
Concretes are graded by strength properties and then banded. Just like energy ratings the carbon performance is easy to understand and visually represented in a universally recognised benchmark.
How we calculate the carbon in our concrete
Understanding the embodied carbon of products is the first part of the journey towards understanding the whole life emissions of a project. For all our products we can provide product specific carbon footprint information. Our carbon calculator has been created in accordance with the methodologies set out in PAS 2050:2011 ‘Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services and the Asphalt Pavement Embodied Carbon Tool (asPECT v4.2).
Calculating the CO2 footprint for a product not only provides a clear understanding of the products that are being used but also allows for carbon to be managed in the supply chain. It is also possible to compare alternative products and services, actively seek lower carbon alternatives and understand the impact of using recycled and secondary materials
Engineered low carbon concretes for infrastructure.
Calculate your low carbon concrete footprint
The concrete carbon tool provides carbon footprints, created to PAS 2050 methodology, using Tarmac average data, benchmarked against the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) low carbon concrete ratings.
Please contact the sustainability team for more information - [email protected]
Cement classification types explained:
CIIIB
OPC & GGBS (66-80%)
CV1-SL
Tri blend OPC/PLC + GGBS (35-49%) + Filler (6-20%)
CIIIA
OPC & GGBS (36-65%)
CIIC-SL
PLC + GGBS (36-50%)
CIIB-SL
PLC + GGBS (21-35%)
CIIB-S
OPC + GGBS (21-35%)
CIIA-S
OPC + GGBS (6-20%)
CEM II/A-LL
(PLC) - Portland Limestone Cement (5-20% Limestone filler)
CEM1
(OPC) - Ordinary Portland Cement
Tarmac CEVO low carbon concrete - accredited CPD sessions now available
Our 60 minute ‘Understanding Low Carbon Concrete’ accredited CPD sessions designed for architects, design engineers and project managers to help understand lower carbon concrete materials and how to specify them. To request a free session for you and your colleagues contact us today.
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Cutting carbon end to end
To truly advance carbon reductions we feel that we need look at every aspect of our manufacture and supply to support real progress towards Net Zero.
Tarmac and its parent company, CRH, has an ambition to reach net zero by 2050.
CRH has set an industry-leading target to reduce absolute CO2 emissions across the Group by 30% by 2030 (from a 2021 baseline). The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated CRH’s near-term science-based carbon emissions reduction targets in line with a 1.5°C pathway.
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So, it's not just our materials that are cutting emissions.
Use of transition fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)
Transitioning mobile plant to electric
We are collaborating to drive innovation and are proud to have developed and launched the first electric concrete mixer in the UK.
Supply chain engagement through our Decarbonisation Club and Innovation Challenge
Low Carbon Concrete performance benefits
CEVO Low carbon concrete is a type of concrete that is designed to minimise its carbon footprint during its production.
Here are some performance attributes of our CEVO low carbon concrete:
Reduced carbon footprint
Low carbon concrete is designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during production by using alternative materials.
Durability
Low carbon concrete can be designed to be just as durable and long-lasting as traditional concrete, which is an essential attribute for construction materials.
Strength
Low carbon concrete can have comparable strength to traditional concrete, depending on the specific mix design and the intended application.
Flexibility
Low carbon concrete can be used in a wide variety of applications, including structural and non-structural uses, paving, and decorative purposes.
Availability
Low carbon concrete options are becoming more widely available in the UK, as the demand for sustainable building materials grows.
Overall, low carbon concrete offers a range of performance attributes and options that make it a viable alternative to traditional concrete, while reducing its environmental impact.
Realtime monitoring and AI predictions of concrete strength & temperature
Learn more about CEVO DigitalConcrete Monitoring Performance Sensors
What is Low Carbon Concrete?
Low carbon concrete is a type of concrete that uses alternative materials or processes to reduce its carbon footprint.
At Tarmac, when targeting carbon reductions, we are optimising all areas of manufacture, material selection, delivery, installation and reuse to help achieve 2050 targets as well as the more immediate commitment to reduce absolute CO2 emissions across the business by 30% by 2030 (This target, from a 2021 baseline, is supported by a series of Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) validated targets).
35% Carbon Reduction
National Rehabilitation Centre
LCC reduced carbon footprint
The most significant benefit is its reduced carbon footprint. Low carbon concrete can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. Additionally, low carbon concrete can be produced using locally sourced materials, which reduces transportation emissions and supports local economies.
Low carbon concrete durability
Another benefit of low carbon concrete is its durability. It is a long-lasting material that can withstand harsh weather conditions and resist erosion. This means that low carbon concrete structures require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan, which reduces the need for future construction projects and the carbon emissions associated with them.
Versatility of low carbon concrete
Finally, low carbon concrete is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of construction projects. It can be used to create everything from buildings and bridges to roads and tunnels. Its strength and durability make it an ideal choice for structures that need to withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions.
Low carbon floor screeds
87% lower carbon emissions
Topflow Screed A is among the lowest carbon floor screeds available in the UK. It uses a cement free, anhydrite binder and delivers an 80% reduction in carbon footprint compared to a conventional sand-cement screed and an 87% lower CO2e per m2 when the lower depth requirement is included.
Lightweight construction
The reduction in the height and weight of floors when using thinner screeds in multi storey buildings, enables architects and engineers to achieve further savings in carbon emissions during the design process.
Find out more about Topflow Screed A
The past present and future of concrete’s Net Zero transition
30 years of progress - 38% reduction in CO2 per tonne of product. How did we get there?
1990
Past
Cement process improvements
New Tunstead Cement Plant 2004
Concrete process improvements. Cement replacements. Clinker reductions. Admixture evolution. Cement performance improvements.
2010 South Wales wind farm
New lime kiln @ Tunstead 50% energy reduction
2013 Aberthaw Cement Plant partners with Energy Plant to utilise waste ash
Present
Increasing use of replacers +56 days strengths
Zero carbon electricity
Process improvements for lower carbon
Aggregate optimisation processes
Low Carbon Concrete
- Portland Limestone Ternary
- Composites Alkali Activated
- Cementitious Materials
Fly Ash / GGBS availability in UK
- Calcined Clay
Future
Admixture technology evolution (ongoing)
Maximise alternative fuels and clinker factor
Cement 2 Zero Project
Exploring jet-fuel production from cement flue gas
2024 PLC launch Ternary composite concrete adoption
2024 Automation and the use of AI in cement and concrete
2025 AACM launch
2025 nano / graphene, new fibres, basalt rebar
2028 onwards Calcined Clay
World's first carbon negative lime kiln
2030 onwards CCUS deployment
Lime and Cement roadmaps Beyond Net Zero
2050
Choosing Low Carbon Concrete
By reducing your carbon footprint and creating a sustainable built environment, you'll be contributing to a healthier planet and a more resilient community. You will meet construction commitments and be active in the transition towards Net Zero construction.
Low carbon concrete can also incorporate other sustainable materials, such as recycled aggregates and water-saving admixtures, to further reduce its environmental impact.
Low Carbon Concrete FAQs
