Ready, Set, Pour - Ireland's Largest Ever Concrete Pour Takes Place at the National Conference Centre

6,000 Tonnes of Low Carbon Concrete Poured over 16 Hours

Ireland's largest ever pour of concrete took place in Dublin's Docklands on 25 April 2008, with 6,000 tonnes of Low Carbon Concrete pumped into Ireland's National Conference Centre. 360 trucks poured 2,534 m3 of Low Carbon Concrete.

The use of Ecocem's Low Carbon Concrete will result in a massive CO2 saving of aproximately 6,000 tonnes, when compared to normal cement.

The National Conference Centre will be constructed entirely of low carbon concrete. Construction is due to finish in 2010, and the first conference will take place in 2011. The Kevin Roche designed centre will accommodate up to 8,000 delegates and will host over 200 events each year.

Ecocem Managing Director John Newell commented:

"We're delighted to be part of this significant stage in this landmark development for Ireland. The record-breaking pour of low carbon concrete in combination with Ecocem's ability to carbon neutralise the remaining emissions cements the place of the National Conference Centre as Ireland's first carbon neutral building."

"The construction industry is responsible for 25% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Through the use of low carbon concrete, the impact of the sector on the planet's environments can be significantly reduced."

Since Ecocem opened a €10 million manufacturing facility in Dublin in 2004, Ecocem and its low concrete partners has avoided the dumping of over 900,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere by supplying the Irish construction industry with its cement; the equivalent of taking 218,500 cars - or 13% of Ireland's cars - off the road for a year. Ecocem's green cement produces 16 times less CO2 than ordinary cement. The company also has a manufacturing operation in The Netherlands.

See: www.carbonneutralconcrete.ie

25th April 2008