Interviews
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4/1/2025
Driving sustainability in the UK concrete industry: innovations, challenges, and the contribution of the RE-CON line
Alan Robinson, Head of sales for concrete admixtures systems in the UK & Ireland, describes Mapei's strategic approach to offer innovative solutions for the British concrete industry
The UK concrete market is experiencing a pivotal shift towards sustainability, driven by emerging legislation and industry awareness. Mapei is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation with innovative solutions like the RE-CON AGG admixtures, which address key challenges in sustainable concrete production. The potential for sustainable concrete solutions continues to grow, supported by evolving specifications and environmental consciousness.
The UK has long been viewed as a prominent and prestigious concrete market within europe and further afield: a mature market with a strong demand for innovative, sustainable solutions. Does it also involve a growing demand for more sustainable concrete?
Sustainability is a market which will only grow over the coming years and there is some positive legislation coming through which will hopefully drive change quicker. At Mapei we are at the forefront of producing products that will support the industry as the demand grows. A key support to our growth would be through the specification of the sustainable products at early construction stage.
To grow further in the UK concrete admixtures market, Mapei opened a new plant in Speke.
What are the main factors that encourage sustainability in the industry and which obstacles are there, on the other hand, towards manufacturing more sustainable concrete?
The main factors which encourage sustainability come through the requirement for carbon savings: some tenders are now requesting concrete with specific targets which is positive to see. The industry bodies such as the MPA (Mineral Products Association) and Concrete Society have been supporting the industry to encourage the need for innovation which has helped raise awareness. I believe that the industry understands that improvements have to be made to reduce the carbon in concrete. The main obstacles tend to revolve around cost unfortunately and engineers and architects not specifying more sustainable products. This is now starting to change as education is improving together with legislation as mentioned above.
According to you, what is the potential that the RE-CON line has on the british market? For instance, does the quality of raw materials encourage the use of RE-CON AGG admixture with recycled or manufactured aggregates?
I believe there is a real potential for RE-CON AGG as it has many benefits to our industry and will help achieve more sustainable concrete in the UK. The added benefit is that it allows cement replacements to be used alongside recycled aggregates which the industry has struggled to find a solution for when looking to incorporate these materials into concrete with no additional cement penalty.
Product Lines
Interviews
3/28/2025
RE-CON AGG 90: an admixture for challenging aggregates in cold climates
Research & Development
5/7/2024
Carbon dioxide savings with RE-CON line
