Dutch concrete industry leads the way in sustainability

In business and government these days, you hear a lot of clamoring when it comes to meeting the Paris Agreement's climate goals. By 2030, a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 1990? "Impossible!", "Not going to make it!" and "Not realistic! Yet a quiet revolution is underway in an industry traditionally known for its large carbon footprint: the concrete sector.

Under the inspired leadership of Betonhuis, the trade association for clients, suppliers and construction companies in the Dutch concrete industry, a lot of hard work is being done to ensure the sustainability of cement and concrete production. Since 2020, Betonhuis has annually issued the Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) Sustainability Report. With the report, the participating companies collectively meet the sustainability requirements as set by the international Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC). The CSC system is a certification system for the entire concrete chain, focusing on the certification of raw materials, concrete and production sites. In it, clients, suppliers and construction companies work together to create a more sustainable concrete sector with the goal of a CO₂-neutral and circular concrete sector in 2030, reducing emissions as much as possible.

Example

"We started monitoring the concrete sector in the Netherlands in 2020," said Remco Kerkhoven, spokesman for Betonhuis. "We joined the CSC because this way you are in step with what is happening in Europe. CSC's requirements grow along with industry developments and legislation. These become a little more stringent every two to three years to remain realistic with respect to our goals."

The Dutch concrete industry was already doing well relative to the concrete industry in the rest of the world. Only 1.6% of national CO2 emissions in the Netherlands is accounted for by the concrete industry. Compare that to 5% for the rest of Europe or even 7% worldwide. But Betonhuis was not content with that. Betonhuis Betonmortel has been monitoring since 2011 and already had its own industry yardstick. With that, it sought a connection with CSC. Thanks to this cooperation, the Dutch concrete industry not only serves as an example within its own sector worldwide, but has gradually become a guide for other industries within the Netherlands. 

Authority and expertise

"The Concrete Valley Group has been a member of Concrete House for many years," said Ron van Boven, director of Waco, part of Concrete Valley Group. "Because of the pleasant and proactive cooperation, the choice was quickly made to use the certification in this way." He says the certification is a way to show what Concrete Valley is already doing. "Sustainability is deeply embedded in our DNA. It represents our authority and expertise in this area. Within Concrete Valley Group, we use solar energy, electrify our vehicle fleet and develop low cement concrete."

The CSC certificate is not just about sustainability, but looks at corporate social responsibility in general, including consideration of people and nature. The CSC certificate is also closely aligned with the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the United Nations Development Goals.  

Joint reporting

"The more than 130 companies affiliated with the CSC Sustainability Report represent about two-thirds of the Dutch concrete industry and, thanks to Betonhuis, are united in one reporting on sustainability," Kerkhoven said. "Imagine if each company had to do this itself. A company would have to read up on the requirements and translate them to its own situation. Then comes the reporting, which then has to be self-certified through a certifying company and an accountant. An impossible job. In cooperation with the Concrete Sustainability Council, we offer this responsible solution approved within CSC. Of course, a company can also provide its own sustainability report."

But Betonhuis, together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and parties from the Concrete Agreement, is also meeting members' needs in the area of data collection. The organization has developed the Monitoringstool, a software program in which companies can enter data about their business, after which the results related to sustainability are automatically generated. This data is then verified. "Companies can be certified for different levels," Kerkhoven explains. "We have bronze, silver and gold. Since 2020, a level has been added: platinum. The higher the level, the more stringent the requirements. The certificates are awarded based on the reports of three inspection companies as well as an audit by an auditor."

Gold

A certificate is valid for three years. In 2017, there was an initial wave of companies participating. Because their certificates expired in 2023, many participants immediately went for level gold. "In the Netherlands, compared to Germany and Belgium, many companies have now achieved level gold," Kerkhoven said. "Although the legal obligation will not come until later, many companies are already motivated to achieve gold now." As many as 200 certificates have now been awarded. "Of course we are going for gold," says René Kors, technical director of Kijlstra Concrete Mortar. "Ultimately it is not a question of whether you are going to become more sustainable, but when. And in that case it's better to be a frontrunner than to be at the back of the pack. Besides, it helps us stand out in the market." Gold is also the only logical option for Concrete Valley because it allows the company to show its worth. "As pioneers in our industry, we strive to set new standards every time. From the beginning, we develop elements that require less material up to 70%, while maintaining the same properties as traditional concrete elements," Van Boven said.

Concrete House kicked off the implementation of the CO2 Roadmap Concrete in 2023. With that roadmap, the industry association aims to work toward a significant CO2 reduction in concrete (mortar) products by 2030. Betonhuis members are aiming for a CO2 reduction of 25 to 30% in their production compared to 2022. "This is where the real work happens," Kerkhoven said on behalf of Betonhuis. "We sometimes get criticized, and that is allowed, but with our certifications and audits, we know what we stand for. Together with the member companies, we are making meters in the field of sustainability."

To see what specifically is being done in the Netherlands to make business more sustainable, you can read the Sustainability Report for yourself at concretehouse.co.uk/sustainability-report-2023