Cement-free concrete block promises 73% carbon saving

A new cement-free carbon block offers a 73% CO2 emissions saving compared to traditional concrete blocks, its manufacturer has claimed.

The new sustainable concrete block, Greenbloc, is being launched by CCP, part of SigmaRoc.

Greenbloc is a high-density load-bearing concrete block made from class 1 aggregates and Cemfree, a cement-free alternative to conventional concrete.

CCP said the block is manufactured to BS EN 771 – 3: (2011) and complies with Part E of the Building Regulations for walls and floors. It is manufactured, stored and placed in the same way as conventional concrete blocks and there is no compromise on strength compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) blocks, CCP said.

CCP’s figures suggest that, for an average three-bedroom house, OPC accounts for almost 3.7 tonnes of CO2. In comparison, Greenbloc accounts for 981kg of CO2 for the same house, achieved through a saving of 1kg of CO2 per block and adding up to a total saving of 2.7 tonnes of CO2 per house.

Michael Roddy, managing director at CCP, said: “Greenbloc is a game-changer for the construction industry. Up until now, sustainability has all-too-often been focused on operating carbon emissions post-build, rather than the carbon generated during the build schedule and in the manufacture of building materials. Greenbloc is an important step in the greening of both construction projects and the wider supply chain, as it has the capability to reduce CO2 by up to 73% on a project compared to OPC. In short, the only difference to OPC is that Greenbloc has the ability to dramatically reduce CO2.”