Guest blog: Marshalls overhauls concrete pipe manufacturing process to make carbon saving
Marshalls has announced it is improving the sustainability credentials of its concrete pipe range by removing the steel reinforcement from one of its key products. Marshalls states this will achieve a minimum carbon saving of 6.1%, compared to its predecessor.
The company manufactures a range of unreinforced and reinforced concrete pipes, and continually assesses its processes to ensure it is reducing carbon expenditure where possible. Through development of its mix design, and following a series of production trials, Marshalls identified its 750mm diameter concrete pipes manufactured at its Pollington site no longer required steel reinforcement. By removing steel reinforcement from this product, and from a series of production trials, they’re saving CO2e. Concrete pipes above a 750mm diameter still require steel reinforcement due to the weight of the product.
In the last 12 months, 86% of all Marshalls’ concrete pipe sales have been unreinforced – a high percentage which, Marshalls says, is contributing to a better carbon footprint across the industry than if the pipes were reinforced.
Ian Jefferson, Civils and Drainage Product Development Manager at Marshalls, said: “We make a variety of concrete pipes at both our Mells and Pollington sites. Until recently, Mells was our only site that could manufacture our 750mm pipe without the need for reinforcement. However, through product testing and development, we’ve been able to extend this capability to Pollington, lowering the carbon embodiment for this product to the benefit of our customers.”
“We’re always looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and we’re exploring how to do so across our larger concrete pipes. Being able to provide the industry with sustainable alternatives to the products they’ve always used is a focus of ours, as we continue in our mission to be at the forefront of industry transformation.”
Committed to sustainability, Marshalls has a vision to create net positive futures and is constantly making improvements in its operations to reduce carbon emissions. Marshalls’ concrete pipes have a design life of 120 years and are engineered for durability. They are also designed for quick and straightforward installation, offering a more economical option compared to plastic alternatives.
For more information, ask your local branch.