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Building Sustainable Foundations: Decarbonising Ironwork for a Greener Future

30 January 2025
Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson

Technical Specification Manager

In the endeavour to combat climate change, the focus on sustainable infrastructure is more apparent than ever. Paul Thompson, technical specification manager at Wrekin Products - a market leader in decarbonising ductile ironwork – says that by prioritising whole-life carbon reductions, optimising supply chains, and considering long-term costs, the industry can redefine how it approaches ironwork design and implementation.

Driving sustainability in ironwork

While manufacturing emissions are a critical area of focus, ironwork sustainability doesn’t end at production. Installation, maintenance, and replacement processes also contribute significantly to carbon emissions. For instance, poor work practices and the use of inappropriate bedding materials are primary causes of premature installation failure, leading to increased emissions and higher lifecycle costs. To address these challenges, there must be a shift towards a systemic approach. Harmonising product design, material quality, and installation practices can significantly reduce emissions and enhance durability. A commitment to this holistic methodology is reflected in adherence to standards like CD 534 within the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. These guidelines ensure robust product design and adequate load distribution, protecting bedding materials and preventing avoidable failures.

Embedding sustainability through materials and practices

The selection of materials plays a pivotal role in sustainable ironwork. National Highways specifications highlight the importance of using bedding materials with specific non-shrink, high-strength properties. By aligning with such standards, decarbonised solutions not only ensure technical compliance but also minimise the carbon footprint of installations.

Furthermore, it is essential that ductile ironwork follows an innovative approach which targets emissions at every stage, from manufacturing to installation. This can be achieved by ensuring designs are optimised for durability, such as gully gratings and chamber tops which can withstand the stresses of time and traffic. This not only extends their lifecycle but also reduces the environmental and economic costs of frequent replacements.

Whole life cost diagram

The whole life approach

Sustainability isn’t just about the immediate impact - it’s about whole-life carbon and whole-life cost. By adopting a long-term view, assessing the total environmental and financial implications of ironwork solutions helps contribute to a reduction in whole life carbon costs.

This approach ensures that decisions made today align with future sustainability goals, providing long-term value across the supply chain for a sustained period of time.

This can be monitored by considering whole-life carbon assessments which underpin and demonstrate the importance of making informed choices, from sourcing materials to planning installation methodologies. By integrating these assessments, those in the ironwork industry can benefit from reduced emissions and optimised performance, contributing to broader decarbonisation targets.

Pioneering decarbonisation in the supply chain

It is recognised that supply chains are pivotal in driving the sustainability agenda. The efforts to decarbonise ductile iron access covers and gully gratings extend beyond our operations to include our suppliers, contractors, and clients. By fostering collaborative relationships and promoting best practices, we ensure that sustainability becomes a shared responsibility across the supply chain.

Closing thoughts

As an industry, there must be a collective responsibility and environmental consciousness to embrace change. Decarbonising ironwork isn’t merely a technical challenge, it’s an opportunity to lead in creating resilient, sustainable infrastructure. By combining innovation, technical excellence, and sustainability principles, a future can be built where infrastructure works in harmony with the environment.