Strategic initiatives to 2030 and beyond
Achieving net zero can only be achieved by looking at every area of our business, and also using a wide range of new technologies. The following areas of work will support us in delivering our decarbonisation commitments.
Electricity
We are assessing the potential for all our sites to have their own self-generated clean power from the grid.
Solar Panels at Washwood Heath
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Electricity Switching - company car and fleet
Tarmac has signed up to EV100 and is committed to transitioning 100% of our company car and van fleet to electric before 2030.
Switching our car and van fleet to electric
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Energy efficiency
All of our sites have an energy efficiency target. They undertake an annual energy saving opportunities assessment to eliminate all energy waste from our business. As part of this, site teams improve the efficiency of the equipment through regular maintenance to keep it functioning at its best, and replacing old equipment with more energy efficient options.
We have also launched our national Optimise programme to ensure we are delivering Tarmac's full potential. We target energy and CO2 reduction through improving our performance fundamentals and best practice operational control.
Fuel switching - HVO
Tarmac is actively fuel switching to reduce CO2 across our product portfolio and manufacturing sites. We are deploying Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a transition fuel until battery electric and hydrogen alternatives are available and suitable.
HVO in rail freight
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Bio-binders
We are investigating the potential use of bio-binders to partially replace bitumen and achieve CO2 reductions as well as polymer-modified bitumen to deliver longer lasting durability.
Bio-binders in use on, Chester Road, Birmingham
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Waste-derived fuels
All three of our cement kilns use a proportion of waste-derived fuels in the fuel mix. Our new chlorine bypass allows our kiln at Tunstead to use up to 70% waste-derived fuels.
Chlorine bypass at Tunstead
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Renewable energy
We now procure 100% of our power supply from renewable energy sources. Tarmac has secured supply of its power from nominated wind farms which is backed by Guarantee of Origin Certificates. As a result, Tarmac’s scope 2 (purchased electricity) carbon emissions are zero.
100% of our supplied power is already procured from renewable energy sources
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Electricity Switching - operational equipment
We are switching to mobile equipment that runs on 100% renewables or hybrid in our contracting business and will also electrify operational equipment where possible across all our sites.
UK's first electric mixer
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Fuel switching - hydrogen
The winning entry of Tarmac's 2022 Innovation Challenge was an innovative hydrogen fuel supplement system. It can be fitted onto new or existing diesel engines to supplement cleaner hydrogen fuel into internal combustion engines. This can offer CO2 savings of up to 8%.
Hydrogen fuel cell
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Low carbon manufacturing
In 2022, we led the sector by making warm mix asphalt (WMA) our default for delivered base and binder and surface course materials. This is expected to save around 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Warm Mix Asphalt
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Increased recycling
Tarmac is a net user of waste; this means we reuse and recycle many times more materials than the waste we generate. We use over 1 million tonnes of recycled asphalt planings (RAP) in new asphalt and are seeking to increase this further. In addition, we reuse over 7 million tonnes of waste from other industries as raw materials and fuels each year.
Recycled rubber and RAP being used by Lancashire Council
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If you want to talk us about our journey to net zero, please contact us
Strategic initiatives to 2030 and beyond
Helping you make better construction choices
We are working hard to help our customers make more sustainable choices across construction. In our net zero transition we are inviting collaboration, and are focussed on engineering solutions to meet individual project requirements.
Asphalt and road infrastructure
There are many aspects to consider in the transition to net zero roads. From using lower carbon materials, reducing waste during construction and incorporating more recycled content, to extending pavement life and reducing future maintenance requirements.
Tarmac's range of innovative materials and paving solutions improve sustainability and reduce both carbon emissions and wider environmental impact. They are all available right now to help meet climate change commitments.
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Recycled aggregates
Every time we think about and action the reuse of waste resources, we help to preserve valuable mineral resources, reduce waste sent to landfill and help to reduce the carbon footprint of construction.
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Lower carbon concretes and engineered solutions
The carbon debate is often focused on capital or embodied carbon measurements that incorporate carbon emitted during concrete production and construction. This overlooks the bigger picture. Crucially, embodied carbon measurements fail to consider performance over an asset's lifecycle, risking sub-optimal design and specification, as well as higher running or maintenance costs.
To meet the government's net zero target, it is vital that we work together with our clients and customers to adopt a whole-life approach to carbon.
Learn about our lower carbon concrete, engineered solutions
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