In association with Aggregate Industries

For manufacturers, the net-zero transformation is challenging, but it is also a huge opportunity for the construction, minerals, and logistics value chains to make a fundamental change and further drive the industry’s circular economy ambitions.

Aggregate Industries is leading the way in sustainability, green solutions, and the construction circular economy with its innovative carbon neutral Foamix Eco^® – a newly-developed solution for highways infrastructure, construction, repair and maintenance.

Introducing this product to its expanding range of solutions marks a significant achievement in the pursuit of sustainable asphalt and eco-friendly infrastructure and ultimately the delivery of low carbon whole life cycle solutions.

Initially trialled on the M65 slip road in Lancashire, Foamix Eco is a cold recycled material, meticulously manufactured with negative carbon aggregates and biogenic binder, drastically reducing the total carbon footprint of any infrastructure project.

The trial successfully delivered a carbon neutral asphalt solution, with net zero embodied carbon emissions cradle to gate (Scope A1-A3), without the use of carbon offsetting, supporting National Highways’ target to deliver net zero construction by 2040.

After rigorous research and development processes, coupled with live manufacturing and installation trials in partnership with Lancashire County Council, the new carbon neutral Foamix Eco is the most sustainable and lowest carbon asphalt construction material to date and represents a sustainable alternative compared to traditional methods.

With this product it is even possible to achieve carbon neutral status on projects when reusing the planings onsite.

Paul Binks, highways asset manager with Lancashire County Council, said: “We're proud to have partnered with Aggregate Industries to help us reduce the carbon footprint across our road network. Working with a supply chain that takes a proactive approach to develop products and solutions is imperative for local authorities to reach our net-zero targets. Foamix Eco is a great demonstration of this.”

Whilst Aggregate Industries’ current Foamix solution already delivers a low embodied carbon footprint, the newly developed Foamix Eco option has achieved a carbon neutral status across Scope A1-A3 emission thanks to the new product mix and use of onsite mobile plant production and installation.

It can be used in conjunction with the company’s SuperLow-Carbon surface course asphalt to deliver an ultra-low carbon pavement, and the illustration below highlights the potential pavement saving this system could bring to your scheme.

Commenting, Thomas Edgcumbe, Surfacing Solutions Managing Director at Aggregate Industries said: "We are delighted with the recent trial of our new carbon neutral Foamix Eco product. This sets a new standard for sustainable construction materials, with the use of onsite production and high percentage of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP), allowing us to build a truly circular economy.

“It marks a groundbreaking moment, as it not only provides a cutting-edge product for construction projects but also represents the first potentially carbon-neutral asphalt solution within the construction industry.

“Finally, it aligns with our commitment to be a leader in circular and sustainable solutions and further innovate in the use of RAP by 60 per cent in asphalt products as part of our overall drive to achieve net zero before 2050.”

Certainly, Aggregate Industries’ evolution in cold lay asphalt is set to revolutionise the way road and highways construction projects are carried out, enabling a more sustainable and green approach to infrastructure projects while maintaining high-quality standards and cost-effectiveness at the same time.

For more information on Foamix Eco, visit aggregate.com/foamix. For more information on Aggregate Industries, visit aggregate.com.

Note to Editors:

About Aggregate Industries

Aggregate Industries is delivering growth through sustainable thinking. Committed to playing a significant role in enabling the UK to transition to net zero, Aggregate Industries is driving decarbonisation across the construction materials sector. With a broad, established range of low carbon solutions and a focus on the circular economy, Aggregate Industries continues to invest in R&D and innovation, working in partnership with sustainability-focused stakeholders, with the goal of becoming the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials. It is the first company to be certificated to BES 6001, The Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products, developed by the BRE (Building Research Establishment).

About Holcim

Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevate’s roofing to PRB’s insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

For further press information, please contact:

Jenny Holden

Whistle PR

E: aggregate.industries@whistlepr.co.uk

T: 0121 517 5177

CIHT Statement

This is a sponsored article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the CIHT or its members. Neither the CIHT nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein