Product innovation
We take a whole-life approach to developing new products and aim for continuous improvement across a range of criteria. We focus on producing high-quality, responsibly sourced products that contain more recycled materials and have more durable, low carbon properties.
Read more on responsible sourcing, using recycled materials and reducing embodied energy
Our actions
Over the years, we have continued to develop our portfolio to meet our customers’ evolving needs. Some of the innovations that contribute to high-quality product performance in end use include:
Low carbon asphalt
As part of our efforts to develop more carbon-efficient products, we developed specifications to enable lower-temperature asphalt to be adopted by UK highway operators. Both semi-warm and cold mix asphalts make a significant contribution towards meeting sustainability targets set by the UK Government. Reclaimed Asphalt Planings (RAP) significantly reduces the carbon footprint of asphalt.
Durability
Durability has significant sustainability benefits including greater resource efficiency, and lower carbon footprints and costs for our customers. Products like Tarmac ultra-durable Masterlayer asphalt system and Toproc high-strength concrete provide solutions that are fit-for-purpose, built to last and can cut CO2 over the long term.
Recycled content and recyclability
Aggregates and asphalt are good examples of recyclable materials at end of life, with durable properties that allow their recycling for reuse in a wide range of applications. Tarmac is a UK leader in recycling and use of by-products, such as using RAP in new asphalt products and Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) in concrete.
Read more on Using Recycled Asphalt Pavement
Thermal mass
Tarmac’s award-winning TermoDeck makes use of concrete’s high thermal mass (enabling it to store and retain heat and then slowly release it in response to changing ambient temperatures), which improves building energy performance and achieves greater energy efficiency over the lifetime of a building.
Flood resilience
We have created water-resistant solutions such as TarmacDry, a smooth, low-maintenance surface that has many end-use applications. For example, TarmacDry is often used to reduce flooding in car parks, playgrounds and on roads. The innovative Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) collects surface water through a series of drainage channels, before it is stored and reused. Our TopProof waterproof concrete also provides an attractive surface that is a simple, cost-effective alternative to traditional watertight construction methods. It’s a better solution for the environment compared to conventional waterproofing methods as it does not contain oil-based chemicals and synthetic materials.
Sharing learning
While we do everything we can to cut CO2 in our products, we also believe in promoting a whole-life approach to product performance and the in-use carbon-saving benefits of materials like concrete. For example, we work with trade associations such as the Concrete Centre to highlight concrete’s thermal mass properties and its influence on the whole-life energy performance of a building.
Lower CO2 cement
Portland Limestone Cement is an ideal material for some concrete applications and has a lower carbon footprint. In 2011, Tarmac’s cement business expanded its product range to include bulk Portland Limestone Cement in addition to its existing bagged Portland Limestone Cement.
