Thursday 14 January 2021

Yorkshire Water trials eco-friendly concrete tech

Yorkshire Water is trialling a new eco-friendly concrete technology it hopes will extend the lifespan of its infrastructure and reduce emissions associated with building new assets.

Typically, such assets are demolished and rebuilt at the end of their lifespan - this process is very emissions-intensive.

The new ceramic surface treatment, developed by advanced materials manufacturer Haydale, is designed to prevent concrete decay.

It uses alumina and zirconia silicates to stop damaging carbonation and erosion from taking place, as well as stabilising the surface chemistry of concrete.

Yorkshire Water also notes it could allow a carbon reduction of 43% compared to some traditional concrete solutions.

The company hopes it will help it to reach its goal of delivering net zero by 2030 across its operational output and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its investment in capital building projects by 23% from 2019 to 2025.

Jonathan LeMoine, Senior Project Manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “In early 2021 we will be using one of our capital partners to apply the material to a number of our chemical bunds. The results will be immediately apparent and will pave the way for a larger programme of works protecting our assets.

“We often invest in trialling new technologies and techniques to pave the way for lower emissions in our CAPEX and OPEX solutions. We’re excited to see the results from this trial, and hope that it will provide a low carbon alternative to demolishing and rebuilding."