Blue Concrete: building with what is already there
In Koersel, a new sports hall will soon rise. The foundation is already in place. But what most people don't see is underground: foundation concrete made entirely of secondary raw materials. It is one of the first deliveries of Blue Concrete foundation concrete via Carmans. And it is no coincidence that it has come this far.
Two projects in the spotlight:
Sportshall Koersel, foundation concrete with secondary raw materials for the pedestals of a new sports hall. Fully composed of recycled raw materials, a first for this type of application at Carmans.
DSSV, delivery of Blue Concrete with secondary granulates for an industrial outdoor pavement. Concrete proof that circular concrete can also be used on larger sites for a variety of applications.
What is Blue Concrete?
Blue Concrete is Carmans' concrete line that is entirely built around the principle of circular building with certified recycled materials. Where traditional concrete uses primary raw materials, such as sand, gravel and cement, Blue Concrete starts from secondary raw materials: recycled, cleaned and certified granulates replace the primary raw materials.
The concrete plant in Lummen has been running on this principle for years, and that is how we literally close the loop.
The foundation concrete for the sports hall in Koersel goes a step further: 100% secondary raw materials, throughout the entire composition.
Tested and certified by Buildwise
Blue Concrete is not just a sustainable label. In addition to the daily quality controls that Carmans carries out itself, this concrete composition has been extensively tested by Buildwise, the independent Belgian research centre for the construction sector.
Those tests confirm what Carmans already knew: sustainable foundation concrete based on 100% secondary raw materials can fully meet the technical requirements for foundation applications. Compressive strength, workability, durability: it all checks out.
Why this matters
Belgian regulations today allow 20 to 40% recycled material in concrete mixes. For some applications, such as foundation concrete, Carmans already produces concrete based on 100% recycled raw materials. That is not just a technical achievement, it is a preview of where the sector is heading.
Because raw materials are becoming scarcer and we no longer want to plunder our planet. Anyone who already builds with secondary raw materials for concrete is certainly not building more expensively in the future, but also more intelligently and more sustainably.
For clients and contractors who already want to anticipate these standards today, Blue Concrete is a logical choice. And for anyone wanting to justify a circular and CO₂-conscious material choice to their client or the authorities: the technical data sheet and the Buildwise test report are available as supporting evidence.
“The regulation stands at 20– 40%. We are already further ahead. That is no coincidence, that is a choice.”
What can Carmans do for your project?
Carmans supplies Blue Concrete for a wide range of applications:
- Foundation concrete for utility and infrastructure projects
- Cast concrete and road concrete
- Stabilised sand and other derivatives
- Collection and delivery to measure,