In response to the growing need for more ecologically friendly building solutions in the construction sector, YTL Cement, the leading building materials company in Malaysia, recently introduced its ECO Product Range. This range is certified to have lower embodied carbon and recycled materials content. The recently finished Sustainable Construction Symposium, which The Edge Media Group hosted, saw the introduction of the ECO Product Range.
Dato’ Sri Michael Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Cement, stated that the construction industry has been battling the complicated problem of sustaining financial performance while also enhancing ESG performance in his introductory remarks at the event.
“Conversations around sustainability are gaining momentum, and there is a pressing need for all of us to step up. We recognise the finite nature of the resources we utilise in the construction sector, and as our industry expands, it becomes imperative that we prioritise sustainability in our operations. Therefore, industry players must re-evaluate our actions, strategies, and objectives,” he added.
Recognising this urgency, YTL Cement has introduced Malaysia’s first ECO Product Range which consists of ECOCem, ECOConcrete, ECOSand, and ECODrymix.
ECOCem
YTL Cement’s range of cement with lower embodied carbon, ECOCem, contains up to 40% recycled materials and a lower percentage of virgin materials. The carbon intensity of products in this range is 20% to 50% lower compared to Portland Cement (OPC). The ECOCem range consists of various products that are green label certified, such as SIRIM Eco-Label, Singapore Green Label, and Singapore Green Building Product certification for applications requiring higher late strength and durability such as underground structures and bridges. Each manufacturing plant for the ECOCem is also equipped with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory for rigorous quality control.
ECOConcrete
ECOConcrete is a ready-mixed concrete with 20% to 60% lower embodied carbon content compared to conventional (CEM I) concrete. It is made with cement produced with alternative materials to achieve embodied carbon reduction. The range includes custom mixes to match different construction needs such as FlowBuild Pro – a self-consolidating concrete, SuperBuild – a high-strength concrete and CoolBuild for high-rise buildings.
ECOSand
ECOSand is YTL Cement’s high-quality engineered sand. YTL Cement’s unique production process produces ECOSand that is superior in particle shape, has consistent size distribution and contains no organic impurities. These cubical-shaped fine aggregates are ideal for ready-mixed concrete, and precast concrete applications. By using ECOSand, the environmental concerns of sand mining are negated altogether, contributing to sustainable construction.
ECODrymix
ECODrymix is a range of environmentally friendly premix mortars. Occupant health is an important criterion for construction materials applied indoors. YTL Cement meets this need with its certified low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) ECODrymix. The range includes products for construction and repairs to achieve the perfect wall and floor.
Clarisse Loh, YTL Cement’s Head of Sustainability, highlighted that the company’s legacy in nation building has equipped YTL Cement with the knowledge and expertise to develop pioneering solutions that support the industry’s transition to sustainable construction.
“To thrive in the construction sector, industry players need to address both sustainability and operational challenges such as labour shortage, rising costs, and workforce competency. Our ECO Product Range is developed with those challenges in mind, and we believe that our sustainable products can help contribute towards reducing the environmental impact of construction projects while addressing the industry’s various challenges,” added Loh.
To learn more about YTL Cement’s sustainable products and offerings, please visit www.ytlcement.com/eco-products.
