2. Concrete products

A solid future – concrete products with a lower climate footprint

At Ølen Betong, we combine solid professional expertise with modern technology to deliver municipal infrastructure solutions. We work purposefully to reduce the climate footprint of concrete production, and low-carbon concrete is a key instrument in this effort. Conscious choices of materials and production methods result in lower CO₂ equivalents – without compromising strength, functionality, or durability. With evoBuild and evoZero cement, we can offer solutions with a significantly lower climate footprint while maintaining quality and service life. Sustainability, durability and quality in one – this is how we help projects achieve ambitious environmental goals.

Low-carbon classes

Low-carbon concrete is classified into different classes according to the Norwegian Concrete Association’s Publication NB 37. Each class specifies a fixed limit for greenhouse gas emissions, measured as CO₂ equivalents per 1 m³ of concrete, and represents a percentage reduction from the industry reference for the relevant strength class. To achieve a given low-carbon class, the calculated emissions of the concrete must be at or below the limit value in the NB 37 table. The emissions cover the entire production process from raw material extraction to finished concrete at the factory (A1–A3). Transport to the construction site (A4) is additional and documented separately. The reductions are documented in a project-specific EPD/CPD, which shows the climate footprint of the selected product.

How green do you want to be

We deliver the concrete solutions that get you there – with our standard products available in different low-carbon classes.

*Industry reference: the industry reference in NB 37 applies to ordinary structural concrete, but the limit values for the low-carbon classes are also used for concrete products manufactured with dry concrete. Our products are produced with documented strength class B45.

All our standard products are delivered as a minimum in Low-Carbon Class 20. Several of the most commonly produced products normally achieve low-carbon classes up to L40 without additional measures. For projects with higher environmental ambitions, we offer standard products in L50 and L80, based on cement with carbon capture (CCS or CCU). Other low-carbon classes can be supplied on request for projects with specific environmental goals.

Documentation and EPD

Each product is delivered with a project-specific EPD documenting the climate footprint per 1 m³ of concrete, and a product front page (CPD) showing the product’s total GWP (Global Warming Potential). The documentation is issued at the time of sale and makes it easy to meet environmental requirements and certifications such as BREEAM-NOR, while providing a full overview of greenhouse gas emission reductions for your project.

FAQ about low-carbon products

What is low-carbon concrete?

Low-carbon concrete is concrete with documented lower greenhouse gas emissions than the industry reference. Emissions are calculated as CO₂ equivalents per m³ of concrete and classified in accordance with the Norwegian Concrete Association’s publication NB 37.

What do the low-carbon classes (L10, L20, L30, etc.) mean?

The low-carbon classes (L10, L20, L30, etc.) are defined through fixed limit values in NB 37. At the top of the table is the industry reference for each strength class, followed by limit values corresponding to a percentage reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. L10 corresponds to a 10% reduction compared with the industry reference.

How is the low-carbon class of a product determined?

The greenhouse gas emissions of the concrete are calculated using an LCA tool. The calculated value must be equal to or lower than the limit value in the NB 37 table to meet the relevant low-carbon class.

Are Ølen Betong’s standard products low-carbon?

All our concrete products are delivered as a minimum in Low-Carbon Class 20. Depending on the product, several of our most commonly produced items achieve low-carbon classes within the range Low-Carbon 20–40 without additional measures.

Which products are delivered in Low-Carbon Class 50 and 80?

We offer all standard products in Low-Carbon Class 50 and 80. These classes require the use of cement with carbon capture (CCS or CCU) and are developed for projects with high environmental ambitions.

Can other low-carbon classes be delivered?

Yes. Other low-carbon classes can be supplied on request for projects with specific environmental requirements.

What is included in the greenhouse gas calculation for the low-carbon class?

The calculation covers the lifecycle from raw material extraction to finished concrete at the factory gate (A1–A3). Transport to the construction site (A4) is not included in the calculation used to define a product’s class.

How is the climate footprint documented?

For the selected product, project-specific environmental documentation is prepared, such as an EPD or P-EPD. The documentation can be used in environmental certifications such as BREEAM-NOR and equivalent schemes.