Glossary
A
Abstraction/abstracted water
Abstraction is the process of withdrawing water from a surface or groundwater source. Water abstraction is licensed by the environmental regulator following an environmental impact assessment.
Aggregates
A general term for combinations of minerals obtained by extraction or marine dredging. There are three main sources: solid rock like limestone, fragmented stones like sand and gravel and recycled materials.
Arisings
Material or debris remaining as a result of construction, demolition, trench excavation and similar processes.
Asphalt
A naturally occurring hydrocarbon, bitumen binder mixed with aggregate and used, for example, for paving roads, car parks, pavements and footpaths.
Autoclave
A high temperature, pressurised, steam-heated vessel used in the curing of concrete products.
B
BAP
BES 6001
A standard which enables construction product manufacturers to prove that their products have been made with constituent materials that have been responsibly sourced. The standard describes a framework for the organisational governance, supply chain management and environmental and social aspects that must be addressed in order to ensure the responsible sourcing of construction products. Independent, third-party assessment and certification against the requirements of BES 6001 give the organisation the ability to prove that an effective system for ensuring responsible sourcing exists.
Biodiversity Action Plan
Scientifically based, independently prepared programmes for conserving habitats, flora and fauna in and around Tarmac’s mineral operations. Related: Restoration.
Biomass
Living or dead organic material that can be used as a carbon neutral, renewable energy source.
Block
A solid, hollow or aerated precast concrete masonry unit consisting of Portland cement and suitable aggregates combined with water. Lime, fly ash, air-entraining agents or other admixtures may be included.
BREEAM
See Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
An evaluation and rating methodology for buildings based on a range of sustainability criteria, including energy efficiency and the use of recycled materials.
C
Calfuel
A specially prepared blend of non-hazardous materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, textiles and wood chips that cannot be recycled and would otherwise mostly go to landfill. A Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), Calfuel contains a significant proportion of carbon-neutral biomass meaning that, in addition to saving fossil fuels, it helps to reduce CO2 emissions.
Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
A measurement of the global warming potential of greenhouse gases in comparison to carbon dioxide over a specified period of time.
Carbon footprint
The amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the whole life of a product or process. Also used to describe the sum total of greenhouse gas emissions generated by a company or individual.
Carbon Leakage
The effect when a company facing increased costs in one country due to an emissions price chooses to reduce, close or relocate production to a country with less stringent climate change policies.
CEM I
Refers to the Portland Cement type 1 conforming to BS EN-197-1, formerly known as Ordinary Portland Cement or OPC.
Cementitious materials
Any of various building materials which may be mixed with a liquid, such as water, to form a plastic paste which sets, and to which an aggregate may be added. Includes Portland cements, limes, ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS) or pulverised fuel ash/fly ash.
Climate change
Climate change is believed by scientists to be the result of an increase in heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major long-lived greenhouse gas. The burning of fossil fuels (to provide electricity, heat and transport, and to support industry and agriculture), as well as deforestation, leads to emissions of carbon dioxide and increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse gases arise from, for example, chemical processes, agriculture and landfills. Evidence of the trend includes a rise in temperatures worldwide and more extreme weather events, presenting a major, long-term risk for global society and the environment.
Clinker
Intermediate product in cement manufacturing and the main substance in Portland cement. Clinker is made by heating, in a kiln, a controlled, homogenous mixture of limestone clay and other raw materials to a temperature of about 1,450°C. Clinker is ground with gypsum and other additives to produce Portland cement.
CO2e
See Carbon dioxide equivalent.
Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH)
A UK Government standard designed to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single framework within which the home building industry can design and construct homes to higher environmental standards. The CfSH and associated guidance defines the standard for zero carbon homes.
Coverage
Geographical mapping that identifies the extent and type of land used in a quarry. Tarmac measures quarry coverage as part of site management and to inform ongoing and final restoration plans.
Curing
Process during which chemical and physical actions take place to harden, solidify and dry, resulting in a harder, tougher or more stable concrete. Some curing processes require maintenance of a certain temperature and/or humidity level, others require a certain pressure.
D
Defra
UK Government department for environment, food and rural affairs.
Direct greenhouse gas emissions
Emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by Tarmac. For example, direct emissions related to combustion arise from burning fuel for energy within Tarmac’s operational boundaries. At Tarmac, these mainly include the combustion of fuels in our plants and used in on-site transport and from chemical processes in cement and lime production. Related: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions.
DSM
See Dry silo mortar.
Dry silo mortar (DSM)
Dry, pre-blended mortar which is stored in an on-site silo and mixed with water in situ, delivering the required quantity at a construction site when it is needed, maximising efficiency and minimising waste.
E
Embodied energy
The sum of total energy used throughout the whole life cycle of a product – from extraction of raw materials, to production, distribution, end use and final disposal. Related: Carbon footprint.
EU
European Union
Euro V
A European emission standard that defines the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. Emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.
F
Fatal Injury Frequency Rate
(Fatal injuries x 200,000) / Man hours worked
Fresnel lens
A thin, flat lens providing improved vision along the side of large vehicles, helping to prevent ‘sideswipe’ accidents.
G
GRI
See Global Reporting Initiative.
Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS)
The granular material formed when molten iron blast furnace slag is rapidly chilled (quenched) by immersion in water. It is a granular product with very limited crystal formation, is highly cementitious in nature and, ground to cement fineness, hydrates like portland cement.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
Leading, internationally recognised standard for reporting sustainability performance.
Greenhouse gas
Gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which can warm the lower atmosphere by absorbing thermal radiation. Although these gases are part of a natural process (the greenhouse effect) that keeps the earth warm enough to support life, the level of emissions from human activity is of serious concern and widely believed to be contributing to climate change. Related: Direct and Indirect greenhouse gas emissions.
I
Indirect greenhouse gas emissions
Emissions that result from Tarmac’s activities but are generated at sources owned or controlled by another organisation. At Tarmac, these arise from the combustion of fuels to produce the electricity we use and also from fuels used for business travel and delivery of our goods and services. Related: Direct greenhouse gas emissions.
IOSH
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
ISO 14001
Leading, internationally recognised environmental management standard against which organisations can voluntarily be certified by an external certification body.
ISO 9001
An internationally recognised standard for quality management which specifies the requirements for a commercial entity to be certified for its commitment to quality management.
L
Leachate
Any liquid that drains or 'leaches' from a landfill site.
Lost Time Injury
Any injury that results in someone losing more than one full shift following an incident but which does not include any time lost on the day of the incident itself.
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate
(Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) x 200,000) / Man hours worked
Lost Time Injury Severity Rate
(Days lost due to Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) x 200,000) / Man hours worked
M
Meat-and-bone meal (MBM)
MBM is a non-hazardous, sterilised powder which is a by-product of the meat processing industry and mostly sent to landfill. Using MBM as a fuel helps to significantly reduces CO2 emissions.
N
NGO
See Non-Governmental Organisation.
Non-Governmental Organisation
Any non-profit, voluntary group which is organised on a local, national or international level.
O
OHSAS 18001
Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (specifications for occupational health and safety management systems). OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognised assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. It was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards and certification bodies to address a gap where no third-party certifiable international standard exists. OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, to help organisations meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.
Operational facility
A Tarmac production plant or facility, such as a quarry, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete or cement plant. There may be more than one operational facility at an operational location.
Operational location
A Tarmac site – this can comprise more than one operational facility.
P
PAS 2050
Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2050 has been developed in response to broad community and industry desire for a consistent method for assessing the life cycle GHG emissions of goods and services, and is used to produce credible assessments of the emissions associated with goods or services over their lifetimes.
PCe
See Portland Cement equivalent.
Portland Cement equivalent
A standard industry normalising factor representing the tonnes of Portland cement manufactured from a tonne of cement clinker.
Portland Limestone Cement
A light grey cement used in a wide variety of applications where severe chemical or thermal attack is not likely to be encountered. Applications include ready-mixed concrete, grouts, screeds, concrete blocks, renders and mortars for block and bricklaying.
Potable water
Water of a sufficient quality for human consumption. It has usually undergone a treatment process by a utility provider.
Precast
Concrete components which are cast and partly matured in a factory before being placed into their final position in a structure.
Pulverised fuel ash (PFA) or Fly Ash
A material extracted from the flue gasses of coal fired power stations used as an engineering fill or as a cementitious material in concrete.
R
RAP
See Reclaimed Asphalt Planings.
Reclaimed Asphalt Planings
Reclaimed materials derived from the layers of a road or other asphalt pavement using a mobile machine fitted with milling cutters.
Renewable energy
Energy generated from natural sources including wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower and biomass.
Restoration
The processes used during a quarry’s life (progressive restoration) or at the end of its life (final restoration), to establish the land for leisure, agricultural and other uses, or else restore it to its natural state. The restoration design is often developed in consultation with local authorities and communities. Restoration plans are often integrated with Tarmac’s Biodiversity Action Plans.
Road planings
A by-product of the process of road resurfacing derived from the layers of a road or other asphalt pavement. When an old road is resurfaced, the old asphalt is cold milled straight into the lorry from a planing machine.
S
Screed
A layer of fine concrete or mortar that serves as a sub-base and is often used to even out the surface of floors.
Slag
A by-product from the blast furnaces used to make iron.
Solid recovered fuel
A waste-derived fuel made from processed and sorted commercial and industrial waste streams. A proportion of this fuel is carbon-neutral biomass.
Specific CO2 emissions
The CO2 emitted per unit of production.
Specific energy consumption
The energy used per unit of production.
Stakeholder
Anyone who comes into contact with Tarmac, who has an interest in the business or who is affected by our business activities.
Sustainability Framework
Tarmac’s analysis of the key sustainability priorities for the business, resulting from extensive internal and external consultation and benchmarking.
T
Tarmac Take-Back scheme
A service for customers to return unwanted, damaged or unused concrete blocks which are then recycled by Tarmac.
Tarmacadam
A type of road surface patented in the early 20th century.
Thermal mass
The capacity of a material or structure to absorb, store and release heat/energy. Concrete has a high thermal mass enabling it to be used to help regulate the temperature in buildings, reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling.
Total Recordable Case Frequency
((Fatal injuries + Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) + Road Traffic Incidents (RTIs) + Restricted Work Cases (RWCs) + Medical Treatment Cases (MTCs)) x 200,000) / Man hours worked
Tyre chips
Rubber chips made from car and light van tyres that cannot be reused or retreaded. Using tyre chips gives significant environmental benefits, including reductions in the use of fossil fuels and emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
W
Waste-derived fuel
Combustible material that can be used to provide thermal energy and originates from waste materials. Some waste-derived fuels are also biomass fuels or contain a proportion of biomass.
Whole-life performance
How a product performs from an environmental, social and economic perspective over its entire life cycle, from cradle to grave, including material production, product manufacture, product use, product maintenance and disposal at end of life.
Find definitions for Tarmac’s full range of products and services elsewhere on our website.
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
A nonprofit quango created in 2000 as part of the UK Government’s waste strategies. WRAP works in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help businesses and individuals reap the benefits of reducing waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way.