The urgent approach to sustainable construction

Rising temperatures are a serious threat to the quality of life on our planet. If this increase continues in the coming century, natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, droughts and heat waves will occur more frequently. This can lead to uninhabitable areas, where the consequences for people and nature will be enormous.

The construction sector has a great opportunity and responsibility to contribute to reducing global CO2 emissions. The share of buildings in the total carbon footprint is significant. Among the building elements, the concrete superstructure accounts for as much as 63.68% of CO2 emissions, followed by external and internal finishes.

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PENETRON ADMIX: Sustainable protection for concrete

One of the solutions that contribute to more sustainable construction is PENETRON ADMIX, a crystallizing additive that significantly reduces the permeability of concrete. By providing comprehensive protection against chemical attack, corrosion and frost-thaw cycles, PENETRON ADMIX extends the life of concrete structures. It can easily be added during the concrete mixing process and is resistant to various climatic conditions. This not only makes concrete more sustainable, but also helps to reduce the overall carbon footprint of construction projects.

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The important role of the cement Industry

The global cement industry is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, making it one of the major focuses of the Paris Agreement and COP26 climate goals. Canada, Germany, India and other countries have already committed to achieving zero emissions for large public structures using concrete and steel by 2050. Forty major concrete and cement manufacturers worldwide have also committed to halving CO2 emissions by 2030, towards complete climate neutrality by 2050.

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Concrete: The most urgent focus

Concrete accounts for approximately 66% of a building's absorbed carbon. The carbon footprint of water and aggregates is negligible, while cement is the largest contributor, emitting 0.93 kg of CO2 per kilogram. In addition to CO2, cement also produces nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), which contribute to air pollution and rain acidification, with further consequences for human health and the environment.

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The time for action is now

It is clear that the construction sector plays a crucial role in reducing global CO2 emissions. With sustainable solutions such as PENETRON ADMIX, we can not only extend the life of concrete, but also contribute to a significantly smaller carbon footprint. By transforming the cement industry and embracing sustainable building materials, together we can combat global warming and secure a livable future.

Discover how PENETRON can help make your construction project more sustainable. Check out the full brochure

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