Low-Carbon Geopolymer Concrete: Auditing EPD Declarations for Infrastructure Projects

The Shift Away from Ordinary Portland Cement

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) production accounts for approximately 8% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. In response to regional decarbonization mandates, civil infrastructure developers are turning to geopolymer and alkali-activated binders synthesized from blast furnace slag (GGBS) and pulverized fly ash.

Rigorous EPD Verification

To prevent greenwashing and verify actual cradle-to-gate embodied carbon claims, independent auditors look beyond marketing claims and examine verified Type III Environmental Product Declarations:

1. Upstream Transport Allocations: Verifying raw slag transit emissions from port of entry to local batching plant.
2. Activator Impact: Accounting for the carbon footprint of sodium hydroxide and liquid sodium silicate solutions.
3. Early-Age Strength vs. Curing Energy: Quantifying any thermal curing energy required to achieve 28-day target compressive strengths.