The global push towards sustainability is deeply necessary and far felt, affecting virtually all industries and products, including concrete mixers. This article will take a closer look at the environmental considerations currently faced by the construction and cement industry, as well as the ways these are being addressed.
It focuses on the innovations surrounding concrete and concrete mixers, looking at the ways in which they positively impact not only the environment but you as a buyer, too. From smart cement and automated mixers to recyclable aggregates and longer lifespans, there are a great many innovations for the modern customer to benefit from. This article is brought to you by BS Power, a trusted South African supplier of outstanding power tools and construction equipment.
Greener Concrete Mixers: Why Sustainability Matters In Construction
There’s an argument to be made that concrete is, in both figurative and literal terms, one of the foundations of the modern world. Behind only water, it’s the most used material on the planet, used as the basic building block of virtually every piece of our infrastructure. This includes everything from our homes, schools, and workplaces, to the roads we use to travel and the power stations that keep our lights on and water flowing.
It’s clear that without concrete, we’d lose access to one of our most precious resources. However, with that being said, it’s critical to acknowledge that concrete production as it stands is not sustainable for our future. Concrete production alone represents roughly 8% of global human carbon emissions, contributing massively towards global warming. We need to collectively transform the concrete industry towards a greener future, for the sake of future generations and the planet.
Globally, we’re seeing more regulations and certifications arise that approve and encourage construction industries to go greener, such as LEED and Green Star. These offer incentives to innovate and integrate sustainable solutions, making them more viable for the short term, as well as the long term. Of course, concrete can’t go greener without seeing innovation in the machinery associated with it, meaning that there’s also a push to have mixers be more environmentally friendly.
Greener Concrete Mixers: Changing The Shape Of Concrete’s Environmental Footprint
As we’ve mentioned, cement production entails massive carbon emissions that contribute towards global warming, but while being an environmental challenge, concrete is still a necessity. One of the most direct ways in which scientists and engineers are looking to change this is through actually changing cement itself.
They’ve begun experimenting with a range of different new concrete types that have a lower environmental impact. Some of these are designed to be more durable, lasting longer and thus requiring less material over the long term. This includes advanced innovations such as self-repairing concrete that uses fungal or bacterial colonies to heal damage to the structure, or dissolvable microcapsules. They’re also working on creating concrete made using captured carbon, strengthening the cement while actually drawing carbon out of the atmosphere.
Other, less flashy methods include developing aggregates from recycled materials, reducing the need for raw material to be harvested. Mixers are developing alongside these inventions, adapting to accommodate new mixes and becoming more efficient overall.
Greener Concrete Mixers: The Role Of Concrete Mixers In Sustainable Material Use
One of the very simplest ways to make concrete greener is to be less wasteful in its creation and application. This task falls quite heavily upon concrete mixers, requiring developments towards maximum efficiency. A high-quality concrete mixer can create batches of concrete with supreme consistency, blending the materials into a uniform mix. This means that virtually no batches go to waste, as everything can be used.
This effectively prevents the overuse of cement, aggregates and water all in one go. Not only is this more sustainable, but it also helps to keep the construction projects on track and saves the contractors money. Eco-friendly cements need to be specially accommodated by mixers, requiring precise ratios and mixing times. This encourages the development of extra-refined mixers.
Greener Concrete Mixers: Energy Efficiency In Modern Mixer Design
Some of these refinements can help you, no matter what kind of cement you’re using. You can benefit from newer electric or hybrid models of mixers that consume less or no petrol at all. While they may not be as powerful as traditional mixers (for now), they’re perfectly suited for small to medium-sized projects, especially around residential areas. This is because their electric motors are far quieter compared to traditional petrol motors, making them easier to work around. Their low vibration also reduces the wear and tear inflicted on the machine as it’s being used.
Across the board, the drums and blades of mixers are being redesigned and improved upon to be more efficient, using less power per turn, saving either petrol or electricity depending on the model. We’re also beginning to see the rise of automated cement mixers, which have settings in place that ensure they’re optimised for energy consumption, making them great power-saving options.
Greener Concrete Mixers: Reducing Waste Through Precise Mixing Technologies
Some of the work is going to fall into human hands, handling the machine and concrete, of course. Ensure that the ingredients added to the mixer’s drum are in adherence to the precise ratios included in the manufacturer’s instructions for concrete. Also, always ensure to add these ingredients in the right order: water first, then cement powder, then sand, and then aggregates. With the right ratios in place, your mixers should produce the correct-sized batch of high-quality cement.
In the long run, it’s far greener to do this on-site. Based on the task ahead of you, you’ll know exactly how much cement you need and can produce a batch of the exact right size. If you’re relying on pre-mixed cement being shipped in, you’ll likely find yourself with a surplus of cement at some point, forced to see those resources go to waste as it hardens before your eyes. This is why it’s great to have your own concrete mixer on the site with you.
Greener Concrete Mixers: On-Site VS. Ready-Mix
There are other clear benefits to having concrete production on-site with you. The logistics involved in transporting ready-made concrete don’t simply cost you extra time and money; they represent extra emissions from the vehicles carrying the concrete. With a mixer right there with you, you’ll have to be smart about the amount of materials you stock and use to create concrete, but you’ll be able to completely cut out the challenges associated with extra haulage.
This approach will make your construction project more environmentally friendly overall, helping push it towards green quotas that could earn your project benefits from eco organisations. Of course, you’ll need to secure yourself a reliable and efficient mixer to do this, but this is the easy part; simply browse BS Power’s selection of outstanding mixers and choose one that suits your needs exactly.
Greener Concrete Mixers: Innovations in Concrete Mixer Manufacturing for Lower Carbon Impact
Modern mixers are built to last, leading to fewer replacements and thus less material usage.
Manufacturers are achieving this through the use of materials that are both lighter and stronger, making mixers not only more durable, but portable too. Moreover, when their durability does eventually fail, their materials can be recycled. New manufacturing techniques are also designed to use less power, meaning that they’re green not only in use but in construction too.
BS Power has a reputation for providing machines that last longer, relying on the finest modern technology to ensure legendary durability and energy efficiency. This helps to make our products eco-friendlier, but also cheaper and more convenient for you in the long run. What’s more, our post-sales support only helps increase the lifespan of our mixers further.
Should you encounter any issues with your mixer, we’re just a call away to help troubleshoot. If it should prove to be the result of a damaged component, we’ll do everything we can to ship you a replacement part as soon as possible. If need be, we’re even willing to replace the entire unit. This way, BS Power ensures that your investment in our products truly serves you for years to come.
Greener Concrete Mixers: How To Make Your Mixers Last Even Longer
BS Power will do all we can to ensure your mixers last for years, making them more cost-efficient and eco-friendly. That being said, there’s plenty that you can do as well to help prolong the life of your investment, primarily revolving around adequate care and maintenance. It begins with simple steps, such as cleaning your mixer after use, removing any traces of cement from the interior of the drum before they harden and damage the machine.
This can be done easily using a stiff-bristled brush, some water and if need be, some cement solvent. You should also routinely inspect the concrete mixer for any signs of damage, such as loose components, frayed wires or damaged electronics, so that these can be addressed before they result in a more serious issue. When you’re not using the mixer, it should be stored in a dry and sheltered area, preferably under a tarp, to prevent the elements from eating away at it during this period.
Picture 5, PictureDuring operation, a mixer should be used responsibly, never loading it beyond its drum capacity. This strains the limits of the drum, engine and turning mechanisms, compromising efficiency and potentially leading to a total breakdown. If one adheres to these simple maintenance steps, the mixer should stay in great working order for far, far longer than a neglected machine.
BS Power’s Concrete Mixers For The Modern Builder
In conclusion, there are a multitude of ways in which mixers aren’t just adapting to a greener future but actively helping build it. Acknowledging the heavy contribution of cement production to global carbon emissions, it’s important that we take clear steps towards more sustainable solutions for the construction industry.
Some of the most innovative solutions include self-healing or carbon capture cement, helping reduce total emissions significantly. Of course, none of this is possible without innovations in the machines that mix cement and concrete, though. This means that we’re seeing mixers become greener in a multitude of ways. Some are advanced, adapting mixers to accommodate specialised cement and mixers.
However, many other adaptations are simple, making the mixing process less wasteful, their production more energy efficient, and their lifespans longer. If you’re interested in securing a mixer built to minimise environmental impact, last longer and waste less, look no further than BS Power’s fantastic selection.