Optimisation of resources, efficiency of energy and reduction of wastages will lead to the sustainable construction. Trend of using ready-mix concrete (RMC) over site mix is increasing nowadays which helps to reduce the pollution level of cities like Delhi and Mumbai. All the RMC plants of RMC (India) Division of Prism Johnson Ltd. are situated in industrial zones which are generally away from the residential limits. Carbon footprint is also reduced significantly by optimising the cement content used by RMC over site mix.

In recent times, a lot of light has been shed on the importance of sustainability in the construction fraternity. Most industries now focus on adopting practices, procedures and guidelines that enable them to function andaproduce products in a more environmentally friendly way. People these days are aware about the harmful effects of different industrial procedures, and are conscious of their purchasing patterns. Given how technologically advanced the RMC industry is getting and the increasing demand for construction projects, it is imperative that sustainable measures are taken to optimise the construction activities in a way that it does not have harmful effects on resources, surroundings and living ecosystem. Adopting sustainability will help the industry to survive in the long run and people are keen to gravitate towards products that are not just aesthetically pleasing and efficient but are also eco-friendly in nature.
Durable and high performance concrete solutions enable sustainable construction. The company offers following special concrete solutions whose attributes contribute to sustainability:
• Megacrete: It improves the life-span of concrete structure and fetches more selling space in the same area. It also reduces volume consumption of concrete resulting in further depletion of natural resource like cement, sand and aggregate which acts as raw material for ready mixed concrete manufacturing.
• Perviouscrete: It keeps the surface always dry, prevents water logging and facilitates water harvesting or conservation. It is one of the best solutions for playgrounds, walkways and parking areas.
• Envirocrete: Industrial waste like flyash and GGBS are used to enhance the durability of concrete. It also reduces the carbon footprint as Envirocrete uses lesser cement for the same performance.
• Elitecrete: It is suitable for upper deck insulation system for building to reduce power consumption aimed at cooling or heating.

The company’s sole focus is to curate products that are beneficial to its customers as well as environment friendly. Using the latest available technology, the company has created a range of special products to meet various demands of customers. Among them, Elitecrete and Perviouscrete are the most promising solutions as they focus on cooling and water harvesting respectively.

Elitecrete
Elitecrete is a lightweight concrete with density varying from 800 to 1,800 kg per cum. Its paramount application is thermal and sound insulation coupled with light weight. Typically, a 4-inch thick layer of Elitecrete over a roof slab will help in considerably reducing the load on air conditioning systems. Thus, it supports energy savings, and also significantly reduces dead load over the structure.
Traditionally, brickbat coba was being used in combination with waterproof mortars to serve the purpose of thermal insulation and waterproofing respectively. However, a few challenges are associated with brickbat coba listed as below:
• Highly labour-intensive job.
• Not a stable concrete, once the cracks appear, they are almost impossible to repair.
• May damage the mother slab in case the structure needs to be dismantled.

Elitecrete definitely works as a superior alternative to brickbat coba. It comes with numerous advantages. It is an excellent product for thermal and sound insulation especially for roofs and floors.

Perviouscrete
Perviouscrete is a special category of modified concrete that permits rain water runoff to percolate through rather than flood surrounding areas or storm water drains and always keep the top surface dry. Its unique filter action removes pollutants from rain run-offs and allows the sun’s heat to evaporate volatile, leaving behind the remaining solids to be consumed by microbial action. This permeated water replenishes ground water table and aquifers; hence, can also be termed as rainwater harvesting concrete. It is one of the best solutions for playgrounds, walkways and parking areas.

While it is necessary to cater to the increasing demands, it is also important to meet these demands in a way that it is a win-win situation for clients and the environment. With unique attributes, our special products stand apart, breaking the clutter and creating environmental friendly solutions.

Author:
Atul Desai, Executive Director & CEO,
RMC (India) Division of Prism Johnson Ltd
www.rmcindia.com