Heathrow trials lower carbon concrete to cut emissions

Heathrow Airport has launched an innovative trial to explore the feasibility of using lower carbon concrete, boasting a remarkable 50% reduction in emissions compared to conventional concrete. This ground-breaking initiative stems from Heathrow’s sponsorship of a PhD candidate at the University of Surrey, who dedicated three years of lab work to achieve this milestone. The trial aims to assess the concrete’s durability and longevity in a real airport environment, making it one of the pioneering projects of its kind worldwide.

In line with Heathrow’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, known as Heathrow 2.0, the airport is committed to reducing both on-ground and in-air emissions. As concrete production accounts for at least 6% of global carbon emissions annually, the collaboration with Ecocem and Cemex to develop this innovative concrete solution has the potential to significantly curb carbon output in airport infrastructure projects. The trial’s results are intended to form a blueprint that other airports can follow, enabling them to reduce carbon emissions across all aspects of their operations. Furthermore, Heathrow is planning to conduct additional trials to test and assess other low carbon concrete materials available in the market. These trials’ outcomes will contribute to reducing embedded carbon in various projects undertaken by Ferrovial Construction and Dyer & Butler at Heathrow.

The project, led by Jacobs and implemented by Cemex and Ecocem, involves testing four different concrete applications at a pouring site situated near the control tower. These applications replicate typical airport infrastructure uses, such as airfield pavements, runways, taxiways, reinforced pit cover slabs, and other ancillary concrete types. Given the heavy air traffic at Heathrow, with aircraft taking off and landing every 45 seconds, the concrete must undergo rigorous testing to ensure it can withstand the demands of one of the world’s busiest airports.

Nigel Milton, Chief of Staff and Carbon at Heathrow, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that Heathrow once again takes the lead in testing ground-breaking technologies, exemplifying global leadership in sustainable travel. The airport is committed to reducing carbon emissions not only in the air but also on the ground, and this trial is expected to play a significant role in transforming the built environment at Heathrow in the years to come.