Heidelberg UK Injects Carbon Dioxide Into Concrete Mix

Wedoany.com Report-Dec.8, Heidelberg Materials UK has begun its first trial of CarbonCure technology at the Greenwich ready-mixed concrete plant in London. The process injects captured carbon dioxide into fresh concrete, where it mineralises permanently through a chemical reaction, improving hydration efficiency and increasing concrete strength.

The technology enables an average reduction of 5% in cement content per cubic metre while permanently sequestering CO₂. Heidelberg Materials states that the method lowers the embodied carbon of concrete by 7–11 kg per cubic metre.

Daniel Clayton, Concrete Technical Director at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: "The CarbonCure trial is the first of its kind to trial the technology in ready-mix concrete in England and is another example of our commitment to innovation and decarbonising our business, to deliver lower carbon construction materials to our customers."

"We're continuing to invest in a range of innovative technologies to enable this, including partnering with CarbonCure in this trial where the mineralised CO₂ within the concrete stays permanently locked in, even if the concrete is demolished at some point in the future."

CarbonCure equipment integrates directly into existing batching systems without affecting concrete performance, workability or finishing characteristics. The captured CO₂ remains stable throughout the concrete's lifecycle, including potential future recycling.

The Greenwich plant already supplies a portfolio of lower-carbon products, including calcined-clay mixes, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) concrete, recycled aggregates and evoZero, the company's near-zero-carbon cement offering. The CarbonCure trial further strengthens the site’s position as a centre for sustainable construction materials in the London area.

Originally developed in Canada over ten years ago, CarbonCure technology is now deployed across multiple countries. Notable projects using the system include Amazon’s second headquarters in Virginia and a General Motors manufacturing facility in Tennessee.

The ongoing trial in London will provide practical data on performance under UK production and construction conditions, supporting Heidelberg Materials UK's broader programme to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete supply across the country.