Low-carbon concrete and carbon capture technologies showcased at Clerkenwell Design Week

Heidelberg Materials UK used this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week to showcase low-carbon concrete technologies and carbon capture solutions as pressure grows on the construction sector to reduce embodied carbon emissions.

More than 250 architects, engineers and sustainability consultants visited Heidelberg Materials UK’s evoHub showroom during the three-day event in London, where the company focused on decarbonisation, concrete innovation and circular construction methods.

Construction industry focuses on low-carbon concrete solutions

A major focus of the exhibition was evoZero, Heidelberg Materials’ near-zero carbon cement produced using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at the company’s Brevik cement works in Norway.

The material is already being used on UK projects and is designed to help reduce the embodied carbon associated with concrete construction.

Visitors to the showroom also received updates on Heidelberg Materials’ wider CCS projects, including proposals linked to the company’s Padeswood cement works in North Wales.

The event highlighted growing interest across the design and construction sectors in lower-carbon specification options as developers and contractors work to meet tightening sustainability requirements.

Concrete decarbonisation and fire safety among key industry discussion topics

More than 30 seminars and CPD sessions were held during the event, covering topics including decarbonisation, circularity, concrete versus timber construction and fire safety.

The showroom also featured displays of coloured ready-mixed concrete products and flooring samples demonstrating different finishes and polished aggregate options for architectural applications.

Additional exhibits included a sculpture created using evoZero cement and a 3D printed concrete vase intended to demonstrate emerging construction manufacturing techniques.

Architects and consultants explore sustainable construction materials

Andy Murphy, UK Group Commercial Director at Heidelberg Materials UK, said the event had provided an opportunity to discuss lower-carbon construction materials with specifiers and designers.

He said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our range of lower carbon materials to those at the forefront of design and specification and help them develop their knowledge of sustainable construction.”