Want to learn more about how to specify low carbon concrete, and where you can source it from?

And also learn about what’s possible with low carbon concrete for your renovation or new build project.

Listen as Dylan Viviers, National Specifications Manager from Holcim Australia, share more information about low carbon concrete, and what you need to know.

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dylan Viviers. [You can listen to Part 1 here].

Hello! This is Episode 281, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Dylan Viviers, National Specification Manager from Holcim, all about low carbon concrete.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of our conversation, be sure to head back to Episode 280 to catch up on that. You can find that by heading here. This episode will make a lot more sense if you listen to Episode 280 first!

In this episode, Dylan and I talk in more detail about the workability of ECOPact, and what to be aware of. 

And I follow up with some questions you may have about using a concrete like this in your project, including for polished and burnished concrete, or using oxides to colour the concrete as well.

Before we jump into the conversation, let me remind you about Dylan Viviers, National Specifications Manager for Holcim Australia.

Dylan joined Holcim about 15 years ago, following a career as a carpenter. He first worked in the quarry side of Holcim, and then moved into the concrete division about 7 years ago.

Dylan is now the National Specifications Manager, and is passionate about educating the industry about Holcim’s low carbon concrete. That’s how I first connected with Dylan. He was presenting a session for architects online, all about Holcim’s low carbon concrete, ECOPact. I’ve been following Holcim for some time, and thought it was a great opportunity to get Dylan onto the podcast to talk about this more with you, so you could understand its application for your project.

This episode kicks off with me asking Dylan about where homeowners can access Holcim’s low carbon concrete, and really where it’s generally available.

You know what else Dylan said after my conversation with him? And I warned him to be careful what he wishes for given just how many people listen to this podcast!

Dylan said this:

“I would love to hear from your listeners each time one of them specifies ECOPact or ECOPactZero. Every specification of ECOPact or ECOPactZero is important to me regardless of the size of the project. Every specification is a step in the right direction to decarbonising the construction industry….we all have a part to play!!” 

So, I have popped Dylan’s email address in the resources for this episode (see below!) 

As he mentioned, if you’re struggling with getting your builder or any other team member on board with your desire to use Holcim’s ECOPact, then you can get in touch with him for more info and to assist with any questions or problems they’re having. AND he wants to know whether you’re specifying Holcim’s product in your project, so please let him know.

Finally, the concrete specification is obviously one part of the puzzle of reducing your home’s carbon footprint when it comes to your home’s concrete slab. 

There are also some exciting options on the market now, with products like Cupolex, which is a forming system for concrete made from recycled plastic, and designed to reduce the amount of concrete needed, plus eliminate the use of polystyrene waffle pod slabs, which are horrific for the environment. I’m seeing builders use this alternative more and more regularly. 

And there’s also alternatives for the reinforcement bars and mesh you can use as well, which I haven’t dived into in a lot of detail, but it came up in our HOME Method Facebook group the other day, as a member has been exploring options that have a lower carbon footprint than steel.

So, all in all, it’s super exciting to see what’s being developed in the industry. As Dylan said early in our chat, it’s a great time in the construction industry right now with the development of these great products and materials, and your ability as a homeowner to make more sustainable choices for your project.

A big thank you to Dylan for generously sharing such great insights and information about low carbon concrete, and Holcim’s ECOPact product. 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES:

Links supplied by Dylan Viviers with information regarding ECOPact Concrete >>>

• Holcim Concrete Plant Locations
• ECOpact (Low Carbon Concrete)
• Climate Active Certification
• Case Study – ECOPact and Grace by Mosaic
• EDP Australasia – Holcim Australia Concrete,Quarry, Cement EPD’s
• EPD Australasia – Holcim NZ Low Carbon Cement 

Episode from 100 Climate Conversations about concrete experimentation >>> A new recycled concrete, with Vivian Tam

To get in touch with Dylan Viviers >>> dylan.viviers@holcim.com

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program, HOME METHOD >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Learn more about how to get started with your home design with the Happy Home Design mini-course >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/happy-home-design

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan