Tarmac makes significant progress on sustainability

Building materials and construction solutions provider Tarmac has revealed it has made significant progress towards it sustainability targets, in its annual sustainability report for 2022. 

The report records th the ambitions set out in Tarmac’s Act sustainability strategy in 2021 and its three central themes of People, Planet, and Solutions. 

Emma Hines, sustainability director at Tarmac, said it was "vital" that Tarmac continues to operate and grow in a sustainable and responsible way, as it outlined in its sustainability strategy in 2021, which has three central themes of 'People, Planet and Solutions'. 

"This becomes increasingly important with the climate emergency and wider societal challenges," she said.

“In 2022, I’m proud to report that we made further progress towards our sustainability goals. 

"These include leading the sector in the switch to warm mix asphalt, providing support to local communities around our sites, and also participating in some major workplace and careers initiatives.

“While we are making significant progress, we have set bold environmental, social and economic ambitions, which we’re committed to delivering.”

The robust commitments and targets set out in Tarmac’s report were developed in collaboration with an external panel, which independently advises the company on its approach to sustainability.

The successes highlighted in this year’s report included how Tarmac led the UK sector in making warm mix asphalt the default for base, binder and surface courses, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 15%.

The firm also achieved a 35% reduction per tonne of product in CO₂ emissions against a 1990 baseline, and work started on the company’s roadmap to net zero, which was published in May 2023.

A lime kiln at Tunstead was used in the world’s first net zero hydrogen trial and 19,951 trees were planted at Tarmac-owned land in 2022, including over 17,000 as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

In 2022, Tarmac was once again a net user of waste, reusing more than it produced, with over seven million tonnes of waste and secondary materials from other sectors used as raw materials or fuels.

Tarmac employees also recorded over 4,450 volunteer hours in 2022 and the company received two separate awards recognising achievements in providing both early careers opportunities and an inclusive and supportive workplace.

It took the Gold award by the 5% Club and Gold Clear Assured Status.

Tarmac’s National Skills and Safety Park successfully completed its first Ofsted inspection, passing all three assessment areas. Over 2,200 employees trained at the centre in 2022, including new starters completing operational inductions.

In 2022, Tarmac welcomed 126 new apprentices and graduates across the UK as part of its early careers programme – this was the company’s largest ever cohort.

Read Tarmac’s 2022 sustainability report.

Read the company’s recently-published roadmap to net zero.