Laing O’Rourke switches to low carbon concrete on all sites

Laing O’Rourke has switched to low carbon concrete on all of its new UK projects.

The move applies to all new projects that began main construction from April 2023.

It follows a long-term research programme showing a range of low carbon concrete options can successfully feature on projects.

In fact, the research showed low carbon options could be a like-for-like substitute for traditional concrete.

Research has involved Laing O’Rourke and Innovate UK working with the University of Cambridge and Sheffield University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Overall, the carbon reduction will be 28% compared to the company’s concrete usage in 2022.

Cathal O’Rourke, Laing O’Rourke’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’ve committed to being a net zero company before 2050 and we are looking at every possible measure to accelerate our progress. In construction, the greatest challenge is reducing scope 3 emissions – the embodied carbon in purchased materials.

“Reducing all carbon emissions is a priority for our business. The built environment makes a significant contribution to global warming and constructors must work with clients and design partners to deploy new technologies and innovations that make modern methods the norm and enable us to build in less carbon intensive ways.”

Construction Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Reducing carbon emissions from concrete is essential to achieving net zero carbon by 2050.

“I’m pleased to see the leadership Laing O’Rourke is showing, through innovating and adopting the use of low-carbon concrete on all the construction projects it delivers”.

Laing O’Rourke’s low carbon concrete uses lower carbon alternatives to Portland cement.

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