Reducing energy consumption
We are committed to minimising our carbon footprint in all aspects of our operations, including products and materials. By improving energy efficiency we perform even better as a business and offer competitive products and services.
Our actions
Energy performance certificates
Every plant run by Tarmac has an energy performance certificate, which allows us to understand individual plant performance and to compare the energy efficiency of different sites across the UK. This enables us to identify suitable measures to reduce our energy use further, which we then roll out to other plants.
Carbon Trust energy roadmaps
In 2011, we continued to use our energy roadmaps, which were developed in partnership with the Carbon Trust, to identify and action energy-saving opportunities. We further developed our energy assessment tool to include mobile plant and pumping to help identify further opportunities for energy management.
Asphalt combustion training
In 2011, we developed and delivered a bespoke training course for our operations teams, covering asphalt plant burner combustion. The targeted training gave them the skills to manage our plants in the most energy-efficient way, and an understanding of how the design and in-use stages contribute to CO2 emissions. This programme is being rolled out across the business.
Energy-efficient offices
In addition to improving energy performance at our quarries and our plants, we work hard to reduce the energy efficiency of our office buildings. We have established an office energy forum to share best practice and raise awareness across the business.
Throughout 2011, the forum’s working group have been working on a strategy for wind and solar power across the business. They are due to initiate a roll-out of site-based wind turbines from 2012 onwards. Individual sites within the business are already using this technology, in particular Mynffordd quarry in north Wales. The Mynffordd site has solar panels for water heating, heat recovery extraction fans, low energy lighting for all buildings, PIR sensors for all lighting inside and out, and the buildings are insulated to the highest standards.
Sharing best practice
We encourage employees to use our intranet library for sharing energy-efficiency information across our quarries, which includes both lessons learnt from specific sites and industry best practice. We also developed an energy calendar tool that was used throughout the year to communicate and coordinate implementation of key energy-saving actions.
Tarmac supported a project with the Carbon Trust and the Mineral Products Association to generate product energy-efficiency benchmarks for aggregates, asphalt and concrete. This information forms part of a best practice portal designed to help SMEs and other companies reduce their use of energy.
Supply chain
We ensure that our supply chain upholds the same high energy-efficiency standards as Tarmac by collaborating with suppliers to implement performance improvements. This is supported through our roll-out of the Achilles BuildingConfidence certification. All suppliers must demonstrate that they carry out appropriate energy-saving measures.
Internal expertise
We value all our employees’ recommendations for improving the way we operate, and recently set up a popular employee suggestion scheme known as My Idea, helping us to benefit from expertise within the business.
Improved Concrete Efficiency
We’ve introduced a new method of accurately measuring and controlling concrete slump – the concrete's consistency – during the production process. Using concrete slump monitoring technology offers a practical solution that improves energy efficiency. Following a successful trial of the monitoring system at three trial plants in the North West and installation in 15 trucks, which are fully operational, we continued rolling out the innovative technology.
Read more about Concrete slump monitoring technology
