Sustainability
Our Commitment
FLI Precast is committed to minimising the impact of its business on the local and wider environments. Through our certification under ISO 14001:2015 and measurement of Green House Gases under ISO 14064, we are continuously monitoring our impact on our local environment. The external auditing associated with our certification verifies FLI Precast’s commitment to the continuous assessment and improvement of our Environmental Management System.
Through mixed design innovation, the use of rainwater harvesting for concrete production, and a focus on reusing materials and reducing waste, FLI Precast is focused on reducing their impact on the environment while also helping to make the production process more efficient.
- Constituent materials
- The fuel and process used to manufacture Portland Cement
- The amount of Portland Cement replacement
- The strength class of the concrete and the resulting mix composition resulting composition
- The level of steel reinforcement
- Transports impacts of the aggregate and cement
Rainwater Harvesting
In 2021 FLI Precast constructed a new rainwater harvesting tank that has the capacity to hold 1.4 million liters.
This will be in addition to the 0.5 million liter capacity tank which was already being utilised on-site. Collecting the rainwater allows us to gather this water to use in the production of our concrete here at FLI Precast. The water in both tanks will continue to be tested once a year to ensure it is suitable for use within our mix designs.
FLI Precast through their commitment to sustainability has used this method of harvesting water in order to contribute to protecting the environment around the plant by reducing our usage of ground water resources in the area.
Use of GGBS in Mix Design
GGBS is an acronym for Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag, a by-product from the manufacture of Iron. FLI Precast uses GGBS supplied by Ecocem. Ecocem GGBS is used in combination with Portland cement to produce superior longer-lasting concrete. A replacement rate of up to 70% is permitted by I.S EN 206-1.
Used appropriately, GGBS cement will reduce the CO2, NOX, and SO2 emissions of concrete by over 50%, it will reduce the embodied energy in concrete by over 40%, and it will significantly increase the service life of concrete, enhancing sustainable development.
It is reported that 55% GGBS can reduce the embodied CO2 content of a typical C32/40 concrete from approx 115kg CO2/ton to approx 60kg CO2/ton.
The controls available in the precast production areas as opposed to on-site insitu works allow us to test and improve the GGBS content in our mixes as well as other processes to reduce the embodied CO2 content.
The table below shows the percentage of eCO2 reduction through the use of secondary cementitious material such as the GGBS we use.
| C23/40 | eC02(tCO2/t) | eC02 saving |
|---|---|---|
| CEM1 | 0.13 | - |
| 30% fly ash | 0.11 | 17% |
| 55% GGBS | 0.07 | 48% |
The carbon footprint for GGBS is 0.032 tonnes CO2/tonne as opposed to 0.803 tonnes CO2/tonne for Cement mixes without GGBS.
At FLI Precast we can use a Carbon Calculator to calculate the Carbon Savings in a particular project. To show carbon saving per project example, take a project which has 530.89T of concrete product. 50% GGBS will be used in the mix on this project. The total carbon savings due to using 50% GGBS on this project is 77.77 tonnes.
This 77.77T is the equivalent saving of not driving your car for 637,459.64 kilometers!
The image below shows 1 tonne of carbon dioxide gas would fill a cube 8.13 meters high. This volume is illustrated in comparison with semi-detached houses.
Environmental Benefits
It is reported that after water, concrete is the most consumed substance on earth, with 2.5 tonnes of concrete poured for every person on the planet every year. The active ingredient for concrete is cement, whose production is responsible for 5% of global CO2 emissions.
The manufacturing process for GGBS utilises the Best Available Technology to manufacture a cement with a carbon footprint 16 times lower than other cements produced.
The resulting concrete is stronger, longer lasting and better looking than traditional concrete.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We understand the value and importance of external communication. Therefore, we always strive to exceed industry standards.
- Goal #9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal #13: Climate Action
- Goal #15: Life on Land
Commitment to Change
UN Sustainable Development Goal #9
Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
UN Sustainable Development Goal #11
As an organisation that operates throughout the globe, FLI Precast has a duty of care to the countries and cities we operate in.
We work alongside our partners to ensure our projects are complete with sustainability front of mind.
UN Sustainable Development Goal #12
We are committed to helping reduce the global footprint created by our industry. We have put time and resources into the energy sector and will continue to do so going forward.
UN Sustainable Development Goal #13
Providing low-carbon solutions is at the forefront of everything we do.
The nature of our processes allows us and our partners to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
UN Sustainable Development Goal #15
We at FLI Precast understand the importance of restoring and protecting terrestrial ecosystems. This involves making sure that we’re using the land sustainably.
Where we need to use wood for bespoke products, we make sure it comes from sustainable sources and that it is reused or recycled later.
As of 2021, we are launching our ambitious tree-planting project which will aim to plant enough trees over the next three decades to absorb 6 million kg of Co2 over their lifetime.
Recognition
The FLI Group as a whole is committed to a sustainable future.
This was recognised in 2020 when FLI Global was named “Best Environmental Solutions Partner” Europe.
FLI Precast also launched a Work Safe: Home Safe initiative in 2021 with the safety of our workers at the forefront.
Why not take a look around?
Feel free to use our interactive software below to see where different aspects of our production facility are located.
Production Hall 3
Entrance/Visitor Carpark
Storage/Dispatch Area
Storage/Dispatch Area
Gantry Crane
Storage/Dispatch Area
Rainwater Harvesting Tank
Production Hall 1&2
Storage/Dispatch Area
Road approaching from Dublin
Road approaching from Wexford