Newton Fund - Low Carbon footprint Precast Concrete products for an energy efficient built environment (LowCoPreCon)

CO2 emissions are responsible for climate change and these will have adverse consequences particularly on low

and middle income countries. Malaysian CO2 emissions have seen a growth of 300% in the last 20 years.

Malaysia’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources is increasing as a result of the growing population

(2% annual growth) and urbanisation in the country. Portland cement production is responsible for about 8% of

the total CO2 emissions in the world, and an increase in production would be required in order to cope with the

housing needs of a growing population. This project will develop low carbon footprint precast cementless

concrete products that use industrial wastes instead of Portland cement. Their improved insulating properties

will reduce energy bills for heating in winter and cooling in summer. The knowledge generated by the project

will benefit the industry and the society both in Malaysia and in the UK. The input from industrial partners will

ensure that research results will be translated into products that will enter the market and be commercially

competitive with current products.