# S30117 Decarbonising concrete by validating the use of lower carbon cement blends for incorporation in the standards - Phase 2

> A sourced UK public sector contract award published by National Highways Limited.

## Key facts

- Buyer: [National Highways Limited](/buyers/national-highways-limited/contract-awards)
- Supplier: [Ove Arup](/suppliers/ove-arup/public-sector-contract-awards)
- Award value: £339,914
- Tender value: £340,000
- Award date: 7 July 2026
- Published: 7 July 2026
- Contract start: 7 July 2026
- Contract end: 31 March 2028
- Stage: awarded
- Procurement category: services
- Notice ID: 653506d0-db01-4fcd-a08a-6eff461fef2d-905077
- OCID: ocds-b5fd17-08dee023-e566-49e2-b4c6-b04bb5d8219f

## Description

This project \(Phase 2 of a two-phase programme\) specifically aims to investigate and validate the expanded use of lower-carbon binary and ternary blended cements by increasing the proportion of PC replacement with supplementary cementitious materials \(SCMs\) such as calcined clays, limestone, and other viable alternatives, through a staged laboratory experimental research and testing programme\. The research will explore blend combinations and replacement levels that exceed those currently allowed under UK standards, including BS 8500:2023, the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works \(MCHW\), and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges \(DMRB\)\. By reducing reliance on traditional SCMs such as Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag \(GGBS\) and Fly Ash \(FA\), which both are subject to supply limitations, this project aims to support the wider adoption of more sustainable and readily available alternatives, including calcined clays and limestone\. The project will also provide the technical evidence required to inform future updates to UK concrete standards, supported by the results of an experimental research programme\. This work will build on the literature review, feasibility study, and detailed testing specification developed as part of the deliverables from the successfully completed Phase 1 of the project\. This will enable the deployment of lower-carbon cement blends at scale while ensuring the durability, performance, and long-term resilience of the UK's concrete infrastructure is maintained\.

## Related contract awards

- [National Roads Telecommunications Service 3 \(NRTS3\) Independent Assurance Review](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-4a336c05-e4fd-4530-86b6-b037c17f1acd) — National Highways Limited
- [ITEP1058 - ORT0191 - Operational Technology Standards and Specifications \(Work Package 2 - Standards review\)](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-f817959c-e56a-409b-915c-f7f70887f6f6) — National Highways Limited
- [PDF Framework - M62 J35-J37 EB Pavement](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-e92da830-c969-4c33-9cf5-ae791bbe11e9) — National Highways Limited
- [PDF Framework - A45 Thrapston to Rands RBT](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-9c6294c6-3ef4-4303-9d39-ab19540306cd) — National Highways Limited
- [S30116 Standard Fastening System for Signs and Signals](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-5e85052b-467b-4647-a558-961a721d6b59) — National Highways Limited
- [S30126 Lorry Parking Support task including monitoring and evaluation](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-7a7339fe-c003-43dc-af7f-4d81e55a93c2) — National Highways Limited
- [S30091 Pavement Technical Standard Committee DMRB and SHW cyclic reviews and delivery of updates](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-e519f82e-7b67-4373-8c93-7ec9ec605e25) — National Highways Limited
- [S30075e Third Generation Trans-Pennine South Regional Traffic Model Build](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-0ee500c3-008c-4343-a01f-cbdc75fe55d4) — National Highways Limited
- [Taxi and MPV \(1-8 seats\) Passenger Assistant - Taxi and MPV \(1-8 seats\) Passenger Assistant](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-c807205b-b095-4dad-80ed-5eb64a2885e7) — East Sussex County Council
- [Oracle Fusion Enterprise Software](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-b94faf4e-06c9-470e-af64-acbf9a5af410) — DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
- [Taxi and MPV \(1-8 seats\) Passenger Assistant - Taxi and MPV \(1-8 seats\) Passenger Assistant](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-63f8a7e1-2c91-4e8e-a7e9-fb3b7b757186) — East Sussex County Council
- [SEN20267-SEN-TAXI-Foxfields Academy](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-67fcd688-9010-4f21-81ee-36209e1d89f8) — Leicestershire County Council

## Source

[View the original notice on Contracts Finder](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/653506d0-db01-4fcd-a08a-6eff461fef2d-905077)