Techrete Unveils Sustainable Concrete Range with 50% Reduction in Carbon Emissions

Techrete, Ireland’s largest architectural precast concrete facade specialist, has launched an innovative range of sustainable concrete products, targeting a 50% reduction in embodied carbon. This pioneering product line positions Techrete at the forefront of innovation in green construction materials as the company approaches its 40th anniversary.

A significant player in the UK, Techrete exports approximately 80% of its products to the UK. Serving construction industry giants such as Kier, Mace, McAleer & Rushe, Multiplex, RG Group, Sir Robert McAlpine, Sisk, Vinci, and Wates, the company has become known for its high-performance, sustainable solutions.

The development of this new lower-carbon concrete range was the result of a strategic R&D programme, funded by Enterprise Ireland. Techrete’s research explored the potential of alternative cement blends and novel materials to dramatically cut carbon emissions. As part of this innovation push, Techrete embraced the opportunities provided by a revised UK concrete standard (BS 8500 1&2 2023), allowing for the incorporation of lower-carbon materials such as limestone filler, fly ash, silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and others.

Techrete currently employs 350 people across Ireland and the UK, with 174 employed at its base in Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

State-of-the-Art Batching Plant Investment to Drive Scale

To bring this innovative product to market and meet growing industry demand, Techrete recognized the need to upgrade its facilities. With support from Enterprise Ireland, the company has invested in a cutting-edge batching plant capable of producing high-performance concrete blends with strengths of up to 100N/mm². This investment ensures Techrete’s ability to scale production of the new mixes, securing its position as a competitive exporter of sustainable building materials.

Marcus Sweeney, Non-Executive Chair of Techrete, commented:

“Sustainability is no longer an afterthought in construction; it’s a driving force behind procurement decisions. Every project now factors in the carbon load of materials, and our new concrete range addresses this demand. Our focus is twofold: reduce the amount of concrete used through the enhanced performance of high-strength mixes, and integrate substantial amounts of cement replacement materials to lower the carbon footprint. Thanks to the support from Enterprise Ireland, we’ve made significant strides in both areas. We are on track to achieving a 50% reduction in embodied carbon by 2025, setting the stage for our ultimate goal of net-zero by 2030.”

Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager for Industrial & Life Sciences at Enterprise Ireland said:

“Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Techrete in its innovative approach to reducing the carbon footprint of construction materials, from R&D support to the capital support to allow real world deployment. The development of lower carbon concrete products is critical as the industry strives to meet the growing demand for sustainable solutions. Techrete’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership that will keep Ireland at the forefront of global green construction. We are delighted to have played a part in helping the company bring these groundbreaking products to market.”

Techrete’s Path to Net-Zero by 2030

Beyond product innovation, Techrete has implemented a robust sustainability strategy to reduce operational emissions. Long-standing initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, effluent neutralization, and energy generation through solar and thermal systems, as well as planting thousands of trees, contribute to their ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

As Techrete continues to lead the charge toward greener construction, their partnership with Enterprise Ireland serves as a blueprint for industry-wide transformation.