Low-emission concrete comes to West Coast

New skyscrapers on the West Coast may soon be “greener” from the ground up. Last week, Webcor Builders, the largest commercial general contractor and largest concrete contractor in California, signed an agreement with iCrete to make its high-performance concrete mixes for tall buildings available as an option on future projects. According to iCrete, its technology reduces the amount of cement needed for its concrete mixes which reduces energy consumption during manufacture and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent.

San Mateo-based Webcor constructs mid- and high-rise buildings and operates with a focus on sustainability. Just about any project started by Webcor will receive minimum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, according to Phil Williams, Webcor's vice president.  The company has 37 completed, in-progress and planned LEED projects in its portfolio accounting for more than 20 million square feet of building space, he says. In 2007, 79 percent of Webcor's revenue came from LEED-certified projects with a higher percentage expected for 2008, according to the company.

Because iCrete is only an option at this point, Webcor declined to cite a specific number of projects on which it might be used, though the product is being explored for use on an upcoming job. Using iCrete may reduce the cost of a building, however, according to Tony Rango, senior vice president of Webcor’s concrete division, because it requires fewer people to place and finish it.

The iCrete mixes are licensed to local ready-mix and precast plants which make the concrete. The company says it is in talks with a number of West Coast ready-mix plants, though none are signed on yet. Concrete made by iCrete is in use on the East Coast, including in New York City's Freedom Tower and in a multi-family condominium tower there designed by Frank Gehry.