The Irish Concrete Federation has published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for readymix concrete mixes representative of those produced by its members. They can be found on the EPD Ireland website here.
Environmental Product Declarations are independently verified declarations of environmental performance of specific products and result in a standardised format which allows construction industry professionals and policymakers to compare the impacts of different materials. This includes carbon (Global Warming Potential) but also measures related to ozone depletion, acidification, nutrient richness in bodies of water and use of non-renewable resources.
The EPDs produced cover the following mixes:
- C16/20 blinding mix
- C16/20 blinding mix with 30% cement replacement
- C28/35 internal structural mix
- C28/35 internal structural mix with 30% cement replacement
- C32/40 foundation mix
- C32/40 foundation mix with 30% cement replacement
ICF’s Head of Sustainability, Conor Hayes said “Like all materials, there are environmental benefits and impacts associated with concrete. It is often not understood that concrete is not particularly carbon intensive when compared to other construction materials. Society uses so much concrete because it is durable and locally available. The publication of these EPDs shows the determination of the industry to progressively reduce its impact whilst still producing a quality, durable product”.
Photo Caption – Pat Barry (CEO, Irish Green Building Council), Conor Hayes (ICF Head of Sustainability) and Fernanda Rocha (Programme Administrator, EPD Ireland) launching the Irish Concrete Federation representative readymix Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
