As the global construction industry shifts toward intensive decarbonisation, KPC Precast Company is making sure Saudi Arabia isn’t just keeping up – it’s leading the way. The company states that it isn’t just changing how we build; it is re-engineering the very chemistry of the concrete itself. 

“We’re showing the Middle East that you don’t have to choose between structural integrity and a low carbon footprint – you can have both,” Eng Ehab Abu Salim, CEO of KPC, tells Gulf Construction. “For us, green concrete is more than a sustainable alternative or a box to tick for environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. It’s a structural powerhouse. By refining our fundamental mix designs, we’ve developed a solution that is as durable and high-performing as it is environmentally responsible.”

KPC believes that sustainability must be measurable and verifiable and supports its claims with laboratory testing.

KPC is building the sustainable future of the Saudi construction industry by integrating locally patented technology into its production lines. To make the concrete stronger and sustainable, the process will combine CO2 and steam in the curing process. 

Green concrete isn’t just an eco-friendly alternative; it’s a high-performance structural solution built to support the kingdom’s most ambitious infrastructure goals, the company adds.

“By capturing CO2 and injecting it into the curing process, KPC significantly accelerates production schedules while slashing the carbon footprint of sustainable construction. It is a literal transformation of a greenhouse gas into a structural asset,” Eng Abu Salim says.

Beyond Portland Cement

That is a significant technical shift for KPC Precast Company. KPC#39, part of its wider sustainability drive, centres on a reformulation of its concrete mix design, replacing substantial portions of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which is the most carbon-intensive part of concrete production.

Technicians at KPC Precast carry out aggregate grading.

By incorporating silica fumes, KPC produces concrete with ultra-low permeability. This creates a denser molecular matrix that shields reinforcement steel from chloride attack, thus significantly extending the lifespan of structures in the Gulf’s harsh coastal environments.

Utilising local materials reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation while providing long-term strength gain through the pozzolanic reaction with calcium hydroxide.

Fly ash is an industrial byproduct used in KPC#39’s mix design that improves the workability of the fresh concrete and reduces the heat of hydration, which is critical for preventing thermal cracking in large precast elements.

Technicians at KPC Precast carry out fresh concrete testing as part of quality control procedures at the facility.

Holistic lifecycle approach

Beyond superficial “green labels”, KPC Precast’s sustainable philosophy delivers tangible performance through advanced water conservation. In arid environments, the company utilises chemical admixtures and optimised particle packing to achieve high flow and workability while significantly reducing water consumption, resulting in a more efficient and durable construction lifecycle.

• Durability and resilience: Superior resistance to thermal cracking and chemical ingress means fewer repairs and a longer service life. This reduces the need for future resource consumption and lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO) for developers. 

“We are not just reducing the footprint of the present; we are building the resilience of the future”, says the CEO.

Commitment to transparency, Vision 2030

KPC believes that sustainability must be measurable and verifiable and supports its sustainability claims with laboratory testing and transparent reporting, providing developers and contractors with empirical data to satisfy increasingly stringent ESG targets This commitment aligns directly with Saudi Vision 2030, fostering a built environment that is both architecturally ambitious and environmentally responsible.

“In the race to build the cities of tomorrow, KPC Precast is ensuring that the foundation is as green as it is solid,” he concludes.