Embracing Sustainable Concrete Solutions for a Greener Kansas City
In the bustling metropolis of Kansas City, where construction and infrastructure development is ever-evolving, the need for sustainable concrete solutions has become increasingly paramount. As the city strives to reduce its environmental impact, concrete contractors and industry leaders are stepping up to the challenge, exploring innovative ways to minimize the carbon footprint associated with concrete installations.
One such innovative solution gaining traction in Kansas City is the use of CarbonCure technology, a groundbreaking process that aims to sequester and reduce the carbon dioxide emissions generated during concrete production. This technology has been embraced by Geiger Ready-Mix, a leading concrete supplier serving the Kansas City metropolitan area, as part of their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Geiger Ready-Mix: Pioneering Sustainable Concrete Practices
Geiger Ready-Mix, a respected name in the Kansas City concrete industry, has long been dedicated to respecting the community and environment. When the company learned about the CarbonCure technology, they saw it as an opportunity to take their sustainability efforts to the next level.
Jim Jauernig, VP of Sales at Geiger Ready-Mix, explained, “We try to adopt new technologies as they come along if we feel like they’re good ones, and CarbonCure sure seemed like a good one.” This sentiment echoes the company’s commitment to continuously improving their operations and embracing innovative solutions to reduce their environmental impact.
Geiger Ready-Mix’s decision to implement the CarbonCure technology across all their plants in Kansas and Missouri was a bold and unprecedented move, demonstrating their dedication to sustainability. By installing the technology in seven permanent and two portable plants serving the Kansas City metropolitan area, Geiger has positioned itself as a leader in the adoption of sustainable concrete solutions.
How CarbonCure Technology Works
The CarbonCure technology is a carbon mineralization process that aims to transform the concrete industry’s environmental footprint. The process involves injecting recycled carbon dioxide into the concrete mix during the production phase, where it undergoes a chemical reaction and becomes permanently embedded within the concrete.
This innovative approach not only reduces the amount of cement required in the concrete mix, but it also locks away the captured carbon dioxide, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. The result is a more sustainable and eco-friendly concrete product that can be used in a wide range of residential and commercial projects.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the use of green roofs and other heat island mitigation strategies, such as sustainable concrete, can provide a range of benefits, including reduced energy consumption, improved air quality, and lower urban temperatures.
Stringent Testing and Quality Assurance
Geiger Ready-Mix recognized the importance of ensuring that their sustainable concrete solutions maintained the high level of quality their customers have come to expect. To this end, the company put the CarbonCure technology through a rigorous testing process, carefully evaluating the impact on strength, workability, and overall concrete performance.
Chad English, Geiger’s Quality Control General Manager, explained, “We wanted to kind of see apples and apples here and see what CarbonCure was or might be going to do to our mixes.” The testing results were highly promising, showing improved 28-day strength and no adverse effects on the concrete’s essential properties.
In fact, Geiger’s customers have not reported any issues with the CarbonCure-enhanced concrete, further validating the team’s confidence in the technology. The company has also explored reducing cement content by up to 7% in their residential mixes, achieving excellent results without compromising quality or performance.
Overcoming Challenges in Commercial Projects
While residential contractors have been receptive to Geiger’s sustainable concrete offerings, the company has faced some challenges when bidding on commercial projects. Prescriptive specifications often set a maximum water-to-cementing materials ratio, which can limit the ability to reduce cement content and utilize the full benefits of the CarbonCure technology.
As Jim Jauernig, Geiger’s VP of Sales, noted, “They’re sometimes slow to adapt, which is probably okay – they have a lot of responsibility. But their buy-in is going to be key moving forward.”
Despite these challenges, Geiger remains optimistic about the growing momentum and acceptance of sustainable concrete solutions in the commercial sector. The company sees the bidding process as an opportunity to educate engineers and specifiers on the benefits of low-carbon concrete, ultimately driving broader adoption and a more sustainable future for the industry.
The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Sustainable Concrete
Geiger Ready-Mix’s commitment to sustainable concrete has already yielded impressive results. Since implementing the CarbonCure technology at the beginning of 2021, the company has delivered over 21,000 truckloads of low-carbon concrete, resulting in a carbon savings of more than 1,200 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of 1,376 acres of forest absorbing CO2 for a year.
Moreover, the benefits of sustainable concrete go beyond just environmental considerations. According to a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, while green roofs and cool roofs are more expensive than conventional roofs, they provide significantly higher relative benefits per square foot over a 50-year lifecycle, including energy cost savings, avoided emissions, and reduced stormwater fees.
Similarly, the adoption of CarbonCure technology by Geiger Ready-Mix has the potential to offer long-term cost savings for their customers, as the reduced cement content and improved durability of the concrete can translate into lower maintenance and replacement expenses over the life of a project.
Empowering Kansas City’s Sustainable Future
As Kansas City continues to grow and evolve, the need for sustainable concrete solutions has never been more pressing. Geiger Ready-Mix’s pioneering efforts to incorporate CarbonCure technology across their operations serve as a shining example of how concrete contractors can actively contribute to the city’s environmental goals.
By reducing the carbon footprint of concrete installations, Geiger is not only mitigating the industry’s impact on the environment but also setting a new standard for sustainability in the local construction landscape. As a leading concrete contractor in Kansas City, Geiger Ready-Mix is paving the way for a greener, more resilient future for the city and its residents.
Conclusion: A Sustainable Concrete Revolution in Kansas City
The adoption of sustainable concrete solutions, such as the CarbonCure technology employed by Geiger Ready-Mix, represents a significant step forward in Kansas City’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. By embracing innovative techniques that minimize cement usage, sequester carbon dioxide, and promote energy efficiency, concrete contractors in the region are playing a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future.
As the industry continues to evolve and more contractors follow Geiger’s lead, the positive impact on Kansas City’s carbon footprint will only continue to grow. This shift towards sustainable concrete not only benefits the environment but also presents opportunities for cost savings, improved project performance, and enhanced community well-being – a true win-win scenario for the city and its residents.
