Precast concrete

This page is divided into two sections. The first is an introduction to the Precast Concrete Industry. The second is an introduction to Sustainability and Precast Concrete.

An introduction to the precast concrete industry

Precast products can de divided into 10 main types:
  1. Architectural cladding
  2. Cast stone and other decorative items
  3. Drainage - including pipes, culverts and manholes
  4. Flooring - including beam and block and hollowcore
  5. Masonry - including blocks and walling
  6. Paving, landscaping and street furniture
  7. Piles and foundations
  8. Railway-specific products
  9. Roof tiles
  10. Structural - including beams, columns and panels.

One of the benefits of concrete is that it is a locally produced material. There are over 500 precast companies in the UK operating approximately 800 factories; these range from small independently-owned single factory operations employing less than 10 people, to divisions of multi-national companies with 10 or more factories and over 1000 staff. The industry employs around 22,000 people 1. 

In 2003, the industry sold 35 million tonnes of products, generating a turnover in excess of £2 billion 1 and sales are predicted to increase by 9% in real terms between 2004 and 2009 2. The 54 companies that are full members of British Precast are estimated to constitute 75% of the industry based on turnover.

Sustainability and precast concrete

Following consultation with its members, British Precast identified the need to develop a sustainability strategy for the precast concrete sector in order to support the competitiveness of the sector and ensure its long-term future. A four-year research programme to develop this strategy commenced in October 2004, in collaboration with the Department of Civil and Building Engineering at Loughborough University. See the sustainability section of the British Precast website for more information. 
 
A survey of British Precast member companies undertaken in 2006 indicated that 70% had quality systems to ISO 9000 or equivalent in place or under development, nearly 60% had environmental management systems to ISO 14000 or equivalent in place or under development, and 50% had H&S management systems to OHSHS 18000 or equivalent in place or under development. British Precast has also developed a 'Concrete Targets 2010' scheme with the Health & Safety Executive. The objectives are:
  • ZERO accidents
  • ZERO injuries
  • ZERO lost-time

The amount of waste produced is product and process dependent. The annual British Precast sustainability awards show that companies are making significant efforts to minimise the amount of waste they produce and dispose of to landfill, with many factories now operating zero waste policies. Companies are also taking steps to minimise the packaging materials supplied with products, consistent with quality and health and safety requirements.

The total amount of water used by the industry for all processes including production and cleaning is estimated to have decreased from 13 million m3 in 2003 to 11 million m3 in 2005. Significant use is now made of recycled water from production and alternative water sources, to reduce demand on mains water supplies.
 
This upstream activity is increasing, and will continue to do so, as companies come to take the opportunities that Product Stewardship and Responsible Sourcing present. Downstream, precast concrete products are being used increasingly in sustainable construction projects.

References

 
1. Clarke, M, British Precast a profile, Concrete, Vol. 37, The Concrete Society, 2003

2. Quality Concrete, Mixed reading: Concrete and concrete products market development report, Concrete, Vol.12, January/ February 2006
 
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