Concrete contract for Olympic Park cements sustainability

Aggregate Industries UK, who will set up a concrete plant on the Olympic Park to supply contractors, was selected partly due to their emphasis on sustainability.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'This is a key contract for the London 2012 project and will help ensure consistency of supply and stability in price for contractors working on the Olympic Park site.

'The construction of the Park and venues will need a huge amount of concrete, both in terms of volume and weight, so this will also be key to meeting our sustainability aspirations. Aggregate Industries demonstrated a clear commitment to meeting and exceeding targets, including using recycled materials and transportation by rail.

'Sustainability has not traditionally been a key requirement for these kind of contracts in the past but we have been impressed with how the industry has responded and adapted to our ambitions.'

The ODA required competing companies to emphasise their ‘green’ credentials and their plans for meeting the ODA’s sustainability targets.

Specifically, tenderers were asked to ensure that they either meet or exceed the following targets:

• Ensure that as a minimum, construction materials (by value) comprise at least 20 per cent recycled content;
• Ensure that 25 per cent of aggregate used will be recycled;
• Transport 50 per cent of materials (by weight) to site by sustainable means i.e. water or rail; and
• Use energy-efficient, low emissions vehicles on-site.

The company will also build a batching plant and have responsibility for the site-wide delivery, off-loading and distribution of concrete to contractors. This will dramatically reduce the number of lorries delivering to the site.

Once the company has been awarded the license they will then have the ability to negotiate with contractors, a process which will be managed and monitored by the ODA. This will help ensure there is cost verification and that there are site-wide negotiated rates.

The ODA has also completed the first of the network of temporary roads which will be used for site traffic during the construction period and will help minimise the impact on the local roads around the site.

This first road has been built next to the Olympic Stadium site and as part of the ODA’s commitment to minimising waste, crushed rubble from other parts of the site has been recycled to construct the new road.

Notes to Editors

1. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) was issued in August 2007 and the contract awarded in December 2007.

2. The following companies were shortlisted and invited to tender:

• Aggregate Industries UK Ltd;
• CEMEX UK Operations;
• Hanson Aggregates;
• Lafarge Aggregates Ltd;
• Robert Brett & Sons Ltd;
• Tarmac Ltd.

3. A pricing structure will be predetermined and agreed with the ready-mixed concrete supplier and the ODA. The supplier will then contract directly with Olympic Park Contractors for the supply of concrete who will be advised of the predetermined pricing structure.

4. Indicative volumes at this early pre-design stage suggest that there will be a peak demand for 1000m3 per day.

5. The anticipated period of operation is January 2008 until April 2011.

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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700

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