In what is believed to be a first for Hawke’s Bay’s construction industry, Lattey Group and Bridgeman Concrete have collaborated to develop the region’s first lower carbon precast concrete.
Over the past six years Bridgeman Concrete has been investigating lower carbon concrete options, to improve sustainability and make progress towards the concrete industry’s goal of zero carbon by 2050.
Steve Dighton Business Development Manager Bridgeman Concrete says the company has made a multi-million dollar investment – including new plant – to develop EcoMax, a concrete product that has between 20% and 60% less carbon than traditional concrete.
“To date we have produced over 5,000m3 of concrete across New Zealand with at least 15% lower carbon.
“The key to EcoMax is replacing part of concrete’s usual cement component with blast furnace slag, a by-product from the steel industry, which gives us the greatest potential for carbon reduction.
“Granulated blast furnace slag is a greener choice with its high carbon sequestration ability. EcoMax can be used in any concrete application from driveways to precast, cast in situ beams to house floors, kerbing to grout mixes and satisfies concrete standards for durability.
“We’re pleased to partner with Lattey Group to develop lower carbon precast concrete, that will be used for the first time in Hawke’s Bay in a project for Hastings District Council,” says Mr Dighton.
Precast concrete is a construction product made by casting concrete in a reusable mould or “form” which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and manoeuvred into place; examples include precast beams, and wall panels for tilt up construction.
Mark Hook, CEO Lattey Group, says lower carbon options is where the precast market is heading.
“Clients want to lower the carbon profile of their projects to meet their sustainability goals. It’s great that we now have a viable and independently certified low carbon option to bring to market for precast in collaboration with Bridgeman Concrete.
“Some people give concrete a bad rap, but it is an incredibly versatile, adaptable, and durable product that is evolving and will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the market. We can change the components and dramatically improve carbon performance without compromising on strength, a key attribute of concrete.
“A local architect, Brent Scott of Citrus Studio, heard about the lower carbon precast trials we were doing with Bridgeman, shortly thereafter it was specified in a project here in Hastings. We’re excited by this development and think there is a lot of potential for lower carbon precast,” says Mr Hook.
The new lower carbon precast concrete – with 40% less carbon – is being used in the construction of a new toilet block at St Leonards Park in a project for Hastings District Council. Hawke’s Bay Construction is the lead contractor.
Hastings District Council Parks Assets Manager Colin Hosford says:
“Council is pleased to promote the use of carbon-reduced products to help meet its sustainability goals, in particular the use of lower carbon concrete for the new St Leonards Park project.”
Both Bridgeman Concrete and Lattey Group will continue with carbon reduction measures.
Mark Hook says Lattey Group will continue to experiment, developing concrete to different specifications using a range of cement substitutes, and letting customers, architects and specifiers know about the range of options available.
Steve Dighton says that specifying EcoMax is easy. “It’s about building awareness. Bridgeman will work with contractors to establish the best mix of components for the job and time of year.”
Media Release – Hastings, 27 June 2023
About Lattey Group
Founded in Hawke’s Bay, Lattey Group has been helping to build infrastructural, capital and community assets for almost 70 years. Our business is as much about smart thinking as it is heavy lifting. In 2018 we doubled our capacity by building a new 4,500m2 precast plant in Levin, allowing easier access to the booming Wellington construction market. Today we employ nearly 120 people in Hawke’s Bay and Levin, and are known for our specialist knowledge amassed on projects – big and small – across the North Island. We’re proud to be the contractor of choice for many local government and private construction projects. We love applying our know-how to find smart solutions for challenging assignments, and we love working with concrete, a material that offers infinite building possibilities and unrivalled strength to stand the test of time.
About Bridgeman Concrete
Bridgeman Concrete was started in Hawke’s Bay in 1967, and is now operated by Patrick Bridgeman. Over the last 50 years Bridgeman Concrete has been instrumental in many large Hawke’s Bay projects including Napier Hospital, Te Whiti – the new 6 Wharf project for Napier Port, and most recently is lending its expertise to the region’s cyclone recovery efforts.