To support the development of buildings’ and infrastructure Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA) at Concept Design stage and Building Permit stage, MPA Precast & MPA Masonry have compiled some Sector data based on returns from our KPI Sector Scheme to support carbon assessments for A1-A3 and A4 sector stages. These can be used in conjunction with precast and masonry products’ sector EPDs, and other data sources, to develop UK representative WLCAs for masonry and precast concrete buildings and structures at both, Concept Design and Building Permit stages.
Transport to Site (A4) distances
MPA Precast and MPA Masonry have been collecting and reporting on product delivery averages since 2011. This data can be found in all our post-2010 Sector Sustainability Reports here. In Table 1, we offer detailed weighted average delivery distance data for five main precast concrete and masonry sectors: blocks, paving, precast flooring, precast concrete architectural & structural products, and concrete drainage products. The data included in this table cover the last three years for which representative data on transport is available (2021, 2020, 2018):
2018*
2020
2021
Masonry (aggregate blocks)
88.2
80.6
92**
Concrete paving
67.9
109.3
95.6***
Concrete drainage
189.3
130.6
110***
Architectural & Structural precast concrete
150.8
211.8
123.6
Precast flooring
125.5
112.7
137***
Table 1. Delivery distances for each product sector in the UK in 2018, 2020 and 2021 (based on MPA Precast/ MPA Masonry stats).
*2019 data was collected during the 2020 pandemic.
** Return journey included
***Relatively small sample
All data included in this table is based on kilometres. The average is calculated by dividing the total delivery distance data submitted by the number of deliveries (or tickets) as reported by each company. The average is weighted based on companies’ production tonnage. Tickets may be associated with multiple deliveries made in a single journey, which is very common.
Based on members’ advice: most masonry and concrete paving, >90% of precast flooring and drainage deliveries, and all structural/ architectural precast deliveries (by mass) are made directly to construction sites.
SCM replacement levels used per precast/ masonry product (A1-A3)
MPA Precast/ MPA Masonry have been reporting on secondary cementitious materials (SCM) use by the overall sector since 2011. This data can be found in Sector Sustainability Reports here. The following table summarises the use of low carbon Supplementary Cement Materials (SCM) used to replace Ordinary Portland Cement (CEM I).
Sector
Year
OPC content (inc. content in cement blends)
pfa (inc. content in cement blends)
GGBS (inc. content in cement blends)
Limestone fines (inc. content in cement blends)
Others (betocarb, silica fume, cement dust, etc)
Precast & Masonry sectors (excluding roof tiles)
2018
72.4%
7.0%
3.6%
6.8%
76.2%
6.2%
8.5%
0.9%
2.6%
68.7%
8.4%
6.9%
2.8%
Table 2. Proportions of different SCMs used to replace Ordinary Portland Cement for each product sector in the UK (based on MPA Precast/ MPA Masonry stats).
All data in this table is based on percentages (%) of cements sourced by manufacturers for use in their factories for one calendar year. Cement blends were included based on its CEM I and SCM proportions. Cement content data for different products can be sourced from EPDs or directly from manufacturers.