The UK’s first cement free precast ‘manhole’ rings and pipes have been made by FP McCann at there Knockloughrim Precast Factory, situated in County Londonderry.
In place of the Portland cement, which is usually used, FP McCann used Wagners’ Earth Friendly Concrete, using a low-carbon binder which is formed from the chemical activation of fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag.
Replacing the Porland cement with this geopolymer binder, made using the materials from recyling streams, can reduce the overall environmental impact and the CO2 emissions of the concrete by up to 80%.
It also appears that in addition to its low carbon credentials, high performance concrete made with this material achieves similar strengths to traditional concrete and due to the chemistry of the geopolymer binder is also providing improved durability in many different environments.
FP McCann went on to say that following extensive research and use in the UK’s ready-mix industry the next step will be to introduce the geopolymer concrete in the pre-cast sector.