UK: Building materials producer Hanson, a UK-based part of Germany's HeidelbergCement, has launched a new range of quality concretes designed to reduce the CO₂ emissions associated with construction projects. The EcoPlus range contains Hanson Regen, a sustainable substitute for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete. Hanson Regen is a ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS) and can replace up to 70% of the OPC content. Replacing 1t of OPC with 1t of Regen in EcoPlus concrete reduces the embodied CO₂ by around 850kg.

Paul Lacey, Hanson's head of sustainability and marketing, said, "EcoPlus is designed to help engineers, specifiers and contractors meet current and future environmental legislation. Our online carbon calculator shows the CO2 savings that can be made by specifying one of our eight standard EcoPlus mixes, which are suitable for foundations, pavements and structural projects. We can also design and supply bespoke mixes."

Using Regen in EcoPlus also improves the durability of structures, particularly where sulphates and chlorides are an issue, and gives a lighter, more aesthetically pleasing colour to the concrete.