Breaking new ground

Here in New Zealand we are very proud of our international reputation as a clean, green country. With increasing pressure on business to ensure that reputation stays intact, it's not surprising that industry is looking at new ways to incorporate sustainability.

For the new Lion Nathan facility, an emphasis on the reuse of materials led to concrete supplier Holcim turning to glass aggregate for much of its concrete product, says Steve Jackson, sales manager concrete.

"Lion Nathan was adamant about incorporating waste glass into the concrete being used to build the new brewery. While it's not a new idea, there are very few practical examples of glass aggregate concrete (GAC)on this large a scale anywhere in the world.

"There is even some debate as to the correct proportions, with an Australian study recommending up to 20% replacement of sand, and a Korean study that finds a 30% replacement was possible," says Jackson.

Guaranteeing the long-term viability of the concrete was also a priority, as the addition of glass aggregate can change the silica content of the concrete, reducing structural integrity over time.

"Holcim's concrete specialists worked on the development of the mix using existing literature as a guide, and adapting the mix to suit local conditions and project-specific acceptable levels of risk," says Jackson. "The use of GAC in the construction of the Lion Nathan plant proves that it is a suitable material for large-scale projects."

Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd

1/1 Show Place, Addington, ChristchurchPhone 0800 Holcim (465 246)www.holcim.com/nz

Story by: Trendsideas