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Low-Carbon Concrete Stars In Thames Development

Capital Concrete has supplied Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC ®) at Plaistow Wharf, London, for Keltbray's new waste treatment facility.

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Located nearby the Peruvian and Royal Primrose wharves, the facility will handle hazardous and non-hazardous construction, demolition and excavation waste, disposing upwards of 350,000t a year. Its proximity to the Thames means the facility will also be able to accept material via barge.

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Construction of the slabs at Kelbray's site at Plaistow

The development at Plaistow Wharf – which is owned by the Port of London Authority (PLA) ­– is part of a wider initiative to grow the Capital’s river economy, and increase the amount of movement by barge. The Thames has always been a significant part of London’s identity, but is increasingly being established as a sustainable transport route.

On an operational level, being able to accept and deliver material via barge results in less lorry journeys, and therefore reduced carbon emissions. Since opening in 2019, Capital Concrete’s nearby Silvertown plant at Peruvian Wharf has been a proponent of this carbon saving strategy. The plant is fed with marine dredged sand and gravel, transported by river from Brett Aggregates’ Cliffe site.

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The hardstanding slab containing Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC). EFC can reduce embodied carbon by up to 87%.

The high output Silvertown plant provided EFC for the project at Plaistow Wharf – a zero cement, geopolymer concrete, made reusing industrial waste by-products. Compared to standard concrete mixes, EFC can offer a saving in embodied carbon between 75% and 87%. Under agreement with EFC’s developer, Wagners, Capital Concrete own exclusive licence for its supply in London.

Luke Smith, Managing Director of Capital Concrete said: “Low-carbon concrete solutions are a more sustainable way of rejuvenating the Thames dock network, and along with diversifying transport methods, a modern way of helping London achieve its Net Zero targets.”

Thanks to its material properties, EFC was able to save Keltbray resources as well as embodied carbon when constructing the project’s 10,000m2 of ground bearing slabs. Its increased flexural strength and reduced dry shrinkage allowed for thinner slabs and larger bases, and removed the need for steel reinforcing mesh.

We previously partnered with Keltbray to supply London’s first anchor pile using EFC, debuting the material at Landsec’s Nova East development in Victoria,” explains Luke. “Since its arrival at the Capital, we have seen more and more clients adopt EFC as a low carbon, high performance alternative to more common options, such as Portland Cement. Minimising carbon emissions is a high priority for most contractors, especially those operating within London. We are delighted to be part of this push towards more sustainable methods.”

The project at Plaistow Wharf is due to be completed this Spring.

For more information regarding Earth Friendly Concrete supply please call our Capital Concrete team on 020 3974 0520 or visit our product page -  Earth Friendly Concrete - Capital Concrete

"Since its arrival at the Capital, we have seen more and more clients adopt EFC as a low carbon, high performance alternative to more common options"

Luke Smith, Managing Director