Why Low-Carbon Precast Concrete Is No Longer a Compromise
July 2025

As the construction industry accelerates toward net-zero targets, the demand for sustainable materials has never been higher. While low-carbon concrete has been widely adopted for in-situ applications, precast concrete has traditionally lagged behind—mainly due to concerns around strength, durability, and consistency.

But that’s changing.

Thanks to innovations like ECO 1® from JKH, it’s now possible to achieve CEM I-equivalent performance in precast applications while significantly reducing carbon emissions. This marks a pivotal moment for the industry: low-carbon no longer means low-performance.

In this review, we’ll explore how low-carbon precast concrete has evolved and why it’s now a viable—and often preferable—alternative to traditional mixes.

What Is Low-Carbon Precast Concrete?

Traditional precast concrete is manufactured off-site using a high-cement mix, offering excellent strength, consistency, and durability. However, cement production is a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions.

Low-carbon precast concrete replaces a significant portion of cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like GGBS or fly ash. These mixes have historically been seen as less suitable for precast due to slower curing times or reduced early strength. But with proprietary blends like ECO 1, that’s no longer the case.

Key Differences—and Why They Matter Now

Performance Without Compromise

Traditional Precast: Known for high strength and durability, especially in demanding environments.
ECO 1 Low-Carbon Precast ECO 1: Matches or exceeds traditional performance. ECO 1 retains CEM I standards while reducing cement content by 46%, achieving over 75 N/mm² at 28 days. It’s fully compliant with BS 8500-2:2023, including Design Chemical Class 4 and Design Sulphate Class 4—making it suitable for even the most aggressive environments.

Environmental Impact

Traditional Precast: High embodied carbon due to cement content.
ECO1 Low-Carbon Precast: ECO 1 reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 49% with its ECO 1 ULTRA® variant, offering a genuine path to sustainable construction without sacrificing quality.

Consistency and Quality

Traditional Precast: Offers factory-controlled consistency.
Low-Carbon Precast: Now delivers the same consistency and reliability, thanks to advanced mix design and rigorous testing. ECO 1 is used as standard across all JKH products, proving its reliability at scale

Cost and Availability

Traditional Precast: Well-established and widely available.
Low-Carbon Precast: Once considered niche, it’s now mainstream. At JKH, ECO 1 is the default mix—offered at no extra cost—making sustainable choices more accessible than ever

Project Suitability

Traditional Precast: Ideal for high-load, high-durability applications.
Low-Carbon Precast: Now equally suited for these applications, while also helping meet sustainability targets, LEED certification, and government carbon mandates.

Conclusion: A New Era for Precast Concrete

The assumption that low-carbon concrete can’t meet the demands of precast applications is now outdated. With solutions like ECO 1, the industry can move forward confidently—combining sustainability with strength, and innovation with reliability.

At JKH Ltd, we’re proud to lead this transformation. Whether you’re building infrastructure, commercial developments, or sustainable housing, our ECO 1 range ensures you no longer have to choose between performance and planet.

Let’s build better—together.

For more details on the ECO1 range, visit: https://www.jkhltd.co.uk/eco-1-range/ or contact us at sales@jkhltd.co.uk to discuss your needs.

*ECO 1 and ECO1 ULTRA are registered trade marks of JKH Drainage Ltd. All Rights Reserved.