CEMEX helps housebuilders meet the Future Homes Standard with the introduction of “ReadyBlock Zero” – the UK’s first zero carbon concrete block

ReadyBlock Zero is a zero carbon concrete block which comes with the residual CO2 offset to make it a CarbonNeutral® product, in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. 

ReadyBlock Zero is part of CEMEX’s VERTUA family of low carbon and sustainable Urbanization Solutions and is available for projects across the UK, ahead of the Government’s Future Homes Standard – when all new homes must produce 75-80% less carbon emissions by 2025. 

By June 2022, new build homes in the UK must reduce CO2 by around 30%. The introduction of ReadyBlock Zero represents an important and timely step for industry ahead of new legislation and the Future Homes Standard.  

ReadyBlock Zero offers housebuilders and developers the opportunity to build lower carbon developments, without compromising on product quality or strength. The new CarbonNeutral® block looks identical to a traditional concrete block and the only difference is it embodies up to 80% less carbon, with the remaining carbon offset. To do this we are working with Natural Capital Partners, an award-winning expert on carbon neutrality and climate finance, that is harnessing the power of business to create a more sustainable world.

Carl Platt, Urbanization Solutions Director of Asphalt, Paving and Building Products for Europe, commented: “We have developed the UK’s first CarbonNeutral® concrete block to help housebuilders get ahead of the game when it comes to building low carbon homes that meet and exceed Government guidelines and changes to building regulations. We want to make life easier for housebuilders to make simple sustainable choices that make largescale impacts on the often complex road to Net Zero. Concrete blocks are the most common structural component in the construction of UK homes, so by switching to zero carbon blocks, ReadyBlock Zero presents a huge opportunity for housebuilders to make significant carbon reductions.”  
  
CEMEX’s Climate Action strategy aims to lead the way in the construction industry and has an overall global ambition of delivering net zero carbon emissions in concrete by 2050. CEMEX Urbanisation Solutions is constantly innovating to provide customers with a broad range of sustainable solutions for the challenges of urbanisation, with a central focus at all times on the Future In Action strategy - committed to Net Zero CO2. 

For more information about ReadyBlock Zero visit: https://www.cemex.co.uk/low-carbon-masonry-blocks

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Notes to Editors: 

About ReadyBlock Zero:
ReadyBlock Zero belongs to the Vertua® family of sustainable building materials now offered by CEMEX as part of its commitment to enhancing the environmental credentials of its operations. This product group also includes low carbon concrete, asphalt and admixtures offerings. ReadyBlock Zero is the first concrete building product to be added to the range.

CEMEX announced its Climate Action strategy; ‘Future in Action – Committed to Net Zero CO2’ in February 2020, and as part of this, by 2030 it plans:
•    To be below 475kg of CO2 per ton of cementitious material, equivalent to a 40% reduction*
•    To reduce the carbon content per cubic meter of concrete to 165kg, equivalent to a 35% reduction*
•    To reach 55% in clean energy consumption

* According to our 1990 baseline

About CEMEX:
CEMEX is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. CEMEX is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. CEMEX is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the use of new technologies. 
CEMEX offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience, enabled by digital technologies. For more information please visit: www.cemex.com 

CEMEX R&D, Innovation and Business Development projects are part of the global R&D collaboration network, headed by CEMEX Research Centers, based in Switzerland

About Natural Capital Partners 
Natural Capital Partners works with clients to combine business success with positive impact on the environment and society. Through collaboration with global project partners, the development of innovative solutions, and understanding the specific goals of its clients, the company delivers programmes for renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, enabling water stewardship and protecting biodiversity. The company was founded 20 years ago and has more than 300 clients in 34 countries.

The CarbonNeutral Protocol was created and is managed by Natural Capital Partners. It was the first clear set of guidelines for businesses to achieve carbon neutrality back in 2002, and every year since then Natural Capital Partners has continued its commitment to providing a robust framework for credible carbon neutral action. It is reviewed annually with input from the Advisory Council to ensure it reflects the latest developments in emissions measurement and reductions. For further information, please visit: naturalcapitalpartners.com  

For media enquiries please contact Sarah Murphy; email: sarah.murphy@cemex.com  
m. 07557 319972