Cemex has achieved a milestone in its concrete product decarbonisation journey by successfully reducing the embodied CO₂ across its full ReadyBlock® concrete range by an average of 44% (Calculation compares the current embodied CO₂ across Cemex’s concrete product range vs 2021 embodied carbon data).

The dense blocks has values of 6.71CO₂e/m² and our medium lightweight blocks has achieved a value of 11.9 CO₂e/m² which enables Cemex to now offer merchants one of the lowest carbon blocks available on the UK market. The reduction of embodied carbon within the Readyblock range will be a continued process with ambitions to reduce the embodied carbon further.

Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050; and as such is setting aggressive goals to decarbonise and develop lower carbon products and solutions across a comprehensive range of materials.

Sam Culshaw, National Sales Manager – Concrete Products, comments: “Cemex continues to lead the way in CO₂ calculations and reporting in the UK. The two main drivers for our CO₂ reduction over recent years have been the switch from CEM I to CEM II A/L, and the move to pumice as the sole source of lightweight aggregate. Our Dense Blocks are now significantly lower than the proposed EPD industry average by the MPA. And while never compromising on product quality, we have also made operational initiatives such as the use of lagoon water from our Dove Holes quarry at Buxton, part of our CO₂ reduction effort.

“As the new Future Homes Standard comes into play, more sustainable product education is really important. We are committed to helping merchants support their customers to choose the right Concrete Blocks for more sustainable building.”

Cemex’s Concrete Blocks and Concrete Products range have now been reclassified to become part of Cemex’s Vertua® portfolio of products, under the company’s Lower Carbon attribute. The Cemex Vertua® portfolio of products and solutions possess one or more of five attributes, which are considered more sustainable than traditional building products. These special products carry a Vertua® logo on their packaging and materials, which makes it easier for merchants to source and stock. In turn, customers in branch looking for lower carbon alternatives can more easily identify the Vertua® logo and product range.

Projects that use Cemex’s Vertua® range of products generate less impact on the environment, helping to reduce the carbon footprint.