Capital Concrete supply HS2 with UK’s largest EFC pour

Nearly 300 cubic metres of Earth Friendly Concrete supplied for foundation slab at Euston station

CAPITAL Concrete have supplied HS2 with the UK’s largest ever pour of the company’s Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC). With the focus increasing on CO2 reduction and the use of more sustainable products, there has been an increase in demand to find more innovative ways to use sustainable materials in projects like this.

In early September, Capital Concrete supplied construction company John F Hunt with 296 cubic metres of EFC for a foundation slab at Euston station. EFC uses recycled construction material and fly ash to offer a reduction of more than 70% in CO2 emissions compared with traditional concrete, helping to reduce the project’s overall carbon footprint.

Martin Needham, John F Hunt’s senior project manager, said: ‘Our ambition is to reduce carbon emissions during construction at every possible opportunity. The pour to create the temporary slab at Euston was the perfect opportunity to utilize the cement-free Earth Friendly Concrete.

‘We chose to use EFC not only for its saving in embodied carbon, but also for its excellent characteristics. It has an increased tensile strength, enabling thinner slab designs and, therefore, a reduction in overall volume of both concrete and reinforcement.’

Jack Sindhu, technical manager at Capital Concrete, commented: ‘We are delighted to have been involved in this project to help both John F Hunt and HS2 drive down the carbon footprint of UK construction through use of our new-generation geopolymer Earth Friendly Concrete.

‘As a result of cross-party collaboration, early engagement, dedicated plant and truck management, and full technical cover, this largest single pour of EFC was delivered successfully at HS2’s Euston site.’