1. Tarmac Topblock and Sustainability

2. Who are we?
Tarmac is a leading supplier of materials, products and services to the construction industry, including mortar, screed, ready-mixed concrete, structural flooring and specialist-precast solutions.
Part of the Anglo American plc - one of the world’s largest mining and natural resources companies.
Employ more than 12,000 people and have a turnover of £1.4 billion.
Topblock are an integral part of the Tarmac Group. Topblock is a UK market leader in manufacturing concrete blocks for the housing, industrial and commercial sectors. 

3. Our products Suitable for a wide range of
applications, our range includes:
Durox - A full range of large format, aircrete blocks, including traditional and innovative thin joint blockwork.
Toplite - Standard format, aircrete blocks for use where good thermal performance is required.
Hemelite - Lightweight aggregate blocks which have high technical performance.
Topcrete - Dense aggregate blocks where durability and high strength are required.

4. Our commitment to sustainability
We share Tarmac’s commitment towards creating a more sustainable environment for all, taking a proactive approach to the environment, community and people:
The provision of sustainable construction solutions.
Managing our operations carefully to ensure our impact on the environment is positive and that resources are used efficiently.
Contributing to society and employee welfare.

5. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Masonry housing has a track record of lasting several centuries. Durox System, our thin joint blockwork solution, can result in significant increases in productivity.

6. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Our products can be used in external wall constructions to meet or surpass the requirements of Part L (Thermal Standards) of the Building Regulations.

7. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation
All of our products have good thermal mass and insulating characteristics – keeping homes cool in the summer and a comfortable temperature during the winter. Over a 60 year life cycle a masonry home can emit 15 tonnes less carbon dioxide than other forms of construction.

8. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation
Recyclable
All of our products contain either recycled, secondary and / or by-product materials.
Products can be recycled at the end of a building’s life.

9. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation
Recyclable
On site flexibility and adaptability of buildings
Both during construction and after the build are complete, building can be modified to suit new requirements without causing structural damage, without major disruption / requiring specialist knowledge.

10. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation
Recyclable
On site flexibility and adaptability of buildings
Cost-effective solutions during build and occupancy
Masonry construction is cost-effective and its use can significantly reduce maintenance and replacement costs compared to lighter construction methods.

11. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation:
Recyclable
On site flexibility and adaptability of buildings
Cost-effective solutions during build and occupancy
Robustness
The robust nature of the material gives confidence in the security of the building and long-term structural integrity. Our products are also resistant to damage by temperature, water, moisture and vermin/insect attack.

12. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation:
Recyclable
On site flexibility and adaptability of buildings
Cost-effective solutions during build and occupancy
Robustness
Sound
All of our products can be provided to comply with or exceed the requirements of Part E of the building regulations. Approved Robust Detail constructions give established performance at least 5dB above Part E.

13. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation:
Recyclable
On site flexibility and adaptability of buildings
Cost-effective solutions during build and occupancy
Robustness
Sound
Environmental performance
Our products have been assessed under the BRE environmental profiles for aircrete and aggregate blocks. Points can be obtainable under the responsible sourcing' element of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

14. Sustainable construction solutions
10 reasons that Tarmac Topblock products are not only sustainable during construction but also during their lifetime.
Quick results with longevity
Energy efficiency
Thermal mass & insulation:
Recyclable
On site flexibility and adaptability of buildings
Cost-effective solutions during build and occupancy
Robustness
Sound
Environmental performance
Health and well-being
The flexibility of design that is possible with block construction allows positioning of windows to take optimum advantage of natural daylight (and views of the sky) as required in EcoHomes and the Code.
You can gain points within the Code for Sustainable Homes through sound insulation, private space and lifetime homes.

15. Responsible sourcing of materials
At the very beginning of the supply chain we adopt policies for sourcing our raw materials aimed at efficient use of resources and minimisation of environmental impacts.
Instigated a policy of only sourcing cement / dense aggregates from suppliers with certified Environmental Management Systems.
Both BREEAM and Ecohomes assessment schemes, and the Code for Sustainable Homes, include credits for using products / materials that can be demonstrated to be responsibly sourced.
Preference is given to the use of locally sourced materials - 95% of our materials are sourced from the UK.
High use of recycled, by-product and waste materials. Product recycled content up to 95% is achieved at some of our sites.
71% of materials are sourced from local sites from within Tarmac.

16. Best practice in manufacturing
Tarmac Topblock aims to minimise the environmental impact of its operations preventing pollution and striving for continuous improvements.
We operate a network of plants designed to minimise transport distances.
All of our block plants operate to a certified ISO Environmental Management System and an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
Waste reduction through careful monitoring and recycling.
We have a 10-year target to reduce specific energy consumption.
We have dramatically reduced water usage.

17. Manufacturing: key facts
£15million investment during 2006 in state-of-the-art, energy efficient manufacturing technology.
No production waste sent to landfill.
17% reduction in energy consumption in production process from 04 to 06.
10% reduction in water usage from 04 to 06.
All plants operate to accredited environmental and quality management systems.
Examples of best practice include:
Investment in new machinery to produce void packs and reduce the usage of timber pallets.
Excess heat from the curing process of blocks is used to heat our offices.
Steam from the curing process at our aircrete factories is reused throughout the cycle, reducing energy consumption.

18. CASE STUDY: SavE Campaign
Tarmac has introduced a groundbreaking
and award winning campaign which
promotes efficient energy usage at all
levels.
The campaign, which encompasses
everything from encouraging staff to
switch off lights as part of the Carbon
Trust Initiative to the introduction of state-
of-the-art, energy efficient equipment in
our facilities, has really gathered
momentum within Tarmac Topblock.

19. Product design and development
We offer a wide choice of block types and formats, to help improve efficiency during the design, construction and use of buildings.
Our range includes low density, thermally efficient aircrete to high strength, dense concrete.
We constantly develop our product range, examples include:
Topcrete Midi and Multicore, and Hemelite Ultra - have all been developed as lower weight options.
Topcrete RPW - specifically developed to meet the acoustic requirements for solid separating walls in residential buildings.
Durox System - a versatile, fast building technique conforming to Modern Method of Construction status.

20. CASE STUDY: Cambridge Housing Society
Using Tarmac Topblock’s Durox System with thin joint mortar for the first time has helped Cambridge Housing Society to construct a new development of six residential properties in record time – with exceptionally accurate and cost-effective results.
Malcolm Wright, Site Agent, comments: “In terms of build speed, the Durox System is without doubt far quicker than other build methods. The build was cost-effective, smooth-running and completed to an extremely high standard.”

21. Packaging
Packaging is used to ensure products can be safely transported, off-loaded and stored on site or to provide protection.
Where possible, the thickness of polythene has been reduced.
100% of this material is recyclable.
Fork-lift packs are offered as an alternative to pallets.
Pallets are normally sold as returnable.
Pallets can be reused or recycled.

22. Transport to site
A key element in the supply of sustainable building products is the minimisation of transport.
Flexible loading options
Local production sites
Vehicle options to suit site needs for maximum efficiency

23. Commitment to employees
Some of the many initiatives include:
Comprehensive strategy with the aim of eradicating all lost-time injuries and unsafe behaviour – improving performance by 83%.
Occupational Health Strategy throughout Tarmac.
Employee Assistance Programme providing advice on a whole range of personal issues.
‘Speak Up’ phone service for all employees.
Staff suggestion scheme and annual awards to constantly innovate and increase customer service.

24. CASE STUDY: BPCF Awards
At the British Precast Concrete Federation Targets Awards, Tarmac Topblock was awarded a four-star award (the highest award achievable).
The awards are assessed on four criteria. One star is issued for each of: Physical Safety, Occupational Health and Behavioural Safety, plus a demonstrated improvement in safety performance, over the five-year period that it has been running.

25. Commitment to society
We believe that we have an important contribution to make, both to society as a whole and to the individual communities in which we work.
Supporting the UK industry - more than 95% of the raw materials used in production from the UK.
Noise reduction on-site mobile equipment.
Developing students, specifiers and construction workers through our training facility, relationships with colleges and seminars for professional groups.