The vital role of ready-mixed concrete for UK infrastructure - report
New MPA-BRMCA Publication highlights vital role of ready-mixed concrete for UK infrastructure
Mineral Products Association (MPA) is launching a new publication, ‘Ready-mixed concrete: Essential, Local, Sustainable’, highlighting how versatile and vital the material is to the construction industry, why the industry is important and examples of infrastructure projects the industry is currently supporting.
Steve Crompton, Chair of the British Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, welcomed the report adding, “This report shows the industry to be innovative and sustainable delivering a high quality essential material. Ready-mixed concrete is vital for building the infrastructure that our society depends upon. Our members remain committed to meeting the future needs of the nation by supplying quality assured concretes to meet all applications.”
About 16 million cubic metres of ready mixed concrete is used in Britain annually for building homes, schools and other essential infrastructure from hospitals to highways. Although often unseen as foundations, floors and structural frames, it is essential to all forms of construction.
The ready-mixed concrete industry provides quality assured, technically versatile and sustainable products. Concrete’s robustness as a material that naturally is both flood and fire resistant, coupled with the fact that it is produced locally, makes it an environmentally friendly material to use. In addition to its long life, the maintenance costs of concrete are also inherently low.
Ready-mixed concrete operations are socially responsible. As responsible employers, MPA members are committed to improving health and safety and encouraging healthy lifestyles in which the working environment is of positive benefit. Further, the quarries from which raw materials are sourced all have restoration plans to ensure that, in the long term, they can be used to the benefit of society.
Ready –mixed concrete is an essential material for delivering infrastructure projects across the UK. At least one million cubic metres of concrete will be needed to build EDF Energy’s planned nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Swansea’s £1 billion planned tidal lagoon will also demand large volumes of ready-mixed concrete.
The report is available for download from the BRMCA website.
