Following customer requests, CEMEX has added a zero-carbon lightweight concrete block and common brick to its range.
Combined with the existing ReadyBlock Zero dense block, this launch enables customers to meet the concrete block requirements for housing and commercial developments using solely CarbonNeutral products. CEMEX remains the only UK supplier to offer a fully net zero concrete block option.
This allows developers to decrease the carbon footprint of their construction projects dramatically. An average three-bedroom home uses 3,500 concrete blocks to build, which, when using traditional products, equates to a total emissions rate of 14,000 kg/CO2e. This is the equivalent of a person travelling 2.4 times round the earth on a plane. Using ReadyBlock Zero and ReadyBrick Zero products would reduce the CO2e by around 70%, so would take this down to around 4,200 kg – a significant reduction in emissions, especially if used for multiple buildings in one development. The remaining or residual CO2e would then be offset.
ReadyBlock Zero Light and ReadyBrick Zero Common Brick are zero carbon concrete products which look identical to traditional concrete blocks and bricks, with the only difference being that they embody up to 80% less carbon, with the remaining carbon offset to make a CarbonNeutral product, following The CarbonNeutral Protocol. To do this, CEMEX is working with Natural Capital Partners, an award-winning expert on carbon neutrality and climate finance that harnesses businesses' power to create a more sustainable world.
The ReadyBlock Zero range is part of CEMEX's VERTUA family of low carbon and sustainable Urbanisation Solutions. It is available for projects across the UK, ahead of the Government's Future Homes Standard – when all new homes must produce 75-80% fewer carbon emissions by 2025.
Carl Platt, Urbanisation Solutions Director of Asphalt, Paving and Building Products for Europe, commented: "The initial launch of our ReadyBlock Zero dense concrete block was very well received, with customers asking us to expand our range further to include lightweight and common brick options. I'm proud of the way we have quickly responded to feedback and now offer these two additional products nationwide. Together, they can present significant savings on emissions – imagine how much of a difference could be made to the carbon footprint of the construction industry if the ReadyBlock Zero and ReadyBrick Zero products were used for every new home built!"
CEMEX's Climate Action strategy aims to lead the way in the construction industry and has an overall global ambition of delivering net zero carbon emissions in concrete by 2050. CEMEX Urbanisation Solutions is constantly innovating to provide customers with a broad range of sustainable solutions for the challenges of urbanisation, with a central focus at all times on the Future In Action strategy - committed to Net Zero CO2.
