ITA explores low-carbon concrete

21 April 2022


The International Tunnelling Association (ITA) is launching an activity group to focus on low-carbon concrete linings for shafts and tunnels.

Concrete is recognised as the second most widely consumed commodity on the planet after water. It also contributes approximately 8% of global carbon emissions, mainly through the manufacture of Portland cement.

The ITA says that 60-70% of a tunnelling project’s embodied carbon is contained in the concrete linings of the shafts and tunnels.

“It is paramount, therefore, that the tunnelling industry does its utmost to significantly reduce or eliminate its use of cement in all applications – segmental linings, in-situ linings, sprayed concrete, and annulus grouts,” the ITA said in a release.

“There is a great challenge for the coming years to develop a solution for low-carbon lining and an opportunity for ITAtech to provide a guideline/recommendation for the market.”