Using the results from the first-of-its-kind carbon footprint analysis of a warehouse floor, Concrete Laser Flooring (CLF) was able to measure the carbon footprint of a warehouse concrete floor that it had placed. 

Using the lifecycle analysis (LCA) developed for it, CLF can identify and measure the lifecycle impacts of its concrete floor offering. By knowing this measurement, carbon credits can be purchased through an accredited carbon disclosure project to offset the measured carbon footprint.  

By providing accurate emissions data, CLF aids customers in understanding and contextualising the impact of purchasing decisions, report on Scope 3 value-chain emissions, and immediately target carbon neutrality or net-zero intentions. 

Rationale 

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cement and concrete are meaningful, and as a supplier to some of South Africa’s leading brands, CLF understands the importance of addressing climate change.  

CLF’s environmental offering is anchored in an innovative approach and state-of-the-art equipment, which results in concrete floors that are more durable and less impactful. The analysis of GHG emissions from its warehouse flooring solutions is central to this. 

Objective 

CLF conducted the first lifecycle GHG emissions analysis of the concrete warehouse floor for Takealot’s Phase 1 building in 2022. This was the first warehouse in South Africa where the carbon footprint was accurately measured to that floor – specific to that site, location and concrete mix design.  

The objective was to calculate the emissions of the: 

1. Entire warehouse floor. 
2. One cubic metre of the warehouse floor. 
3. One square metre of the warehouse floor. 

The results can be used to perform immediate carbon footprint estimations for future CLF flooring projects prior to project commencement, providing customers with valuable information to make decisions and unlock opportunities for climate leadership. 

Approach and results 

A specialist sustainability consultancy, performed the product lifecycle analysis of the warehouse floor, using the principles of the GHG Protocol’s Product Standard. Two measurement boundaries were used so that variable, location-based emissions could be ringfenced. 

Figure 1: Product lifecycle analysis. Credit: GSA Campbell Consulting, 2022

The results were summarised for the warehouse floor, as well as for a cubic metre and square metre of the warehouse floor, using both measurement boundaries. 

Figure 2: Product lifecycle analysis results.

Figure 3: Emissions, excluding travel and transport.

Case study: Application of LCA 

Applying the learnings from the Takealot project and LCA results, CLF recently assisted Solar MD, a battery manufacturer in Cape Town, with its flooring installation.  

The company needed a high-tolerance floor to meet its operational requirements. In consultation with the professional team, including property developers, Atterbury, a deep interest was shown in positioning this floor for Solar MD to be measured and off-set.  

CLF was therefore chosen for its unique offering of the carbon footprint measurement. 

Flooring system 

The flatness and levelness of a floor are extremely important in logistics warehouses to cater for very high racking and to ensure efficient forklift operations. A high-tolerance floor is vastly superior in terms of flatness and levelness for a client’s operations, impacting on the operational, financial and health and safety matters of a warehouse. 

With a high-tolerance floor, racking can be higher, and aisles between racks can be narrower. This allows for more racks to fit into a building, and forklifts can operate faster and reach higher, allowing goods to be moved faster and more economically. 

This installation’s high tolerance was achieved using CLF laser-screed machines, with a concrete mix designed and made specially for this project at CLF’s Readymix plant.  

This type of flooring installation is well suited to logistics and warehouse operations, automated warehouses and robotics. 

As a supplier to some of South Africa’s leading brands, CLF is committed to playing a leadership role by enabling supply chain GHG measurement, reduction and offsetting opportunities for customers.  

Issue: Offsetting the carbon footprint of concrete flooring. 

Solution: CLF performs carbon footprint estimations on its flooring installations, to inform and educate customers who are looking to make a positive impact on the environment. 

For more information, contact Concrete Laser Flooring: 

Tel: +27 11 704 5557 

Email: info@concreteflooring.co.za 

Website: https://concreteflooring.co.za/