Adopting technology

An important aspect of our greenhouse gas reduction strategy centres on using technology to cut CO₂ emissions from our operations. Much of this effort and investment focuses on our cement and lime operations at Tunstead and Hindlow, which generate the majority of our greenhouse gas emissions. However, we also operate a wide range of CO₂ saving programmes and initiatives across the entire business.

Our actions

Lime kiln investment

In 2011, we achieved significant reductions in CO₂ emissions at our £13.4 million Maerz kiln, based at Tunstead in Derbyshire. Compared to the original rotary lime kilns it replaced, the new kiln has generated 40% lower CO₂ emissions, and has continued to deliver an outstanding 97% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions. These major reductions have been achieved as a result of installing the new energy-efficient kiln, and through our ongoing investment in carbon-neutral biomass fuels.

Recycling asphalt

Exploring the opportunities to use recycled materials to cut the embodied carbon in our products, and investing in technology to help us do this, is key to continually improving our sustainability performance. In 2011, we continued to roll out technology to help us maximise the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Planings (RAP) at strategic asphalt plants across the UK. This is enabling us to use up to 50% recycled material to make new asphalt, and we always use recycled materials in our products where practical. Using recycled aggregate and bitumen derived from the RAP cuts the embodied carbon in asphalt by up to 20%.

Electric and hydrogen vehicles

We believe using renewable and low carbon fuels will play an essential part in achieving a low carbon future. In 2011, our Cavenham site hosted successful trials of a hydrogen-powered vehicle, as part of a wider pilot run with ITM Power. We have purchased our first electric van, which will be used in 2012 as part of our highways maintenance contract with Walsall Borough Council.

These investments will help us to assess the sustainability and business benefits of emerging low carbon transport technologies.

Efficient asphalt plant

We have invested £360,000 in a new natural gas pipeline, new burner and new control system at Bredbury asphalt plant. This investment allows the plant to switch from oil firing to natural gas firing, providing a cleaner, energy-efficient burn that reduces wear and maintenance requirements on the plant, is more energy efficient and delivers lower CO₂ emissions. The investment provides environmental and economic benefits.

In a separate development, we have converted six asphalt plants to run on Kerosene. They are located at the following quarries: Highcraig, Hillwood, Perth (Friarton), Craighouse, Jericho Bridge and Cairneyhill. The switch from gas oil to kerosene offers both environmental and economic advantages. Kerosene not only provides more heat energy per litre but also lowers CO₂e emissions. We assessed the viability of this new technology thoroughly before roll-out at these six sites.

Low temperature asphalt

Tarmac focuses on a number of strategic ways to cut the embodied carbon footprint CO₂e in products, including the use of efficient optimised processes, adoption of sustainable transport and maximising the use of recycled materials. Tarmac is also supporting other technologies, such as lower temperature asphalt. We are currently leading an Industrial Energy Efficiency Acceleration (IEEA) project that is funded by the Regional Growth Fund and in conjunction with the Carbon Trust, looking at how to bring lower temperature asphalt to the market and make it more commonly used. The project's group, which includes Atkins, Nynas and MIRO, is focused on developing technology, material specifications and implementation strategy. The project has already demonstrated its success by the uptake of a number of Highways Authorities to the low temperature asphalt and its inclusion in their revised specifications. The project is due to be completed in March 2013.