It’s not just architects and specifiers who are rethinking how buildings are put together—contractors are, too. Many have already shifted gears, weaving sustainability into the early choices they make on-site. That’s not just good PR—it’s smart business.
Why the change? It’s a mix of tighter regulations, shifting client expectations, and, frankly, better results from the right materials. This is where questions like “Is additive manufacturing sustainable?” start becoming more than technical queries—they’re part of the bigger picture contractors are being asked to shape.
From low-carbon building products to eco-friendly construction additives that genuinely improve performance, it’s clearer than ever that greener doesn’t have to mean weaker or more expensive. If anything, these modern solutions often work harder, cutting waste, extending lifespan, and even making builds easier to manage.
In this article, we’ll walk through five reasons why more construction professionals are choosing sustainable construction materials—and how Cemkem’s construction solutions from The Rakem Group are helping lead that shift.
1. Environmental Impact Reduction
So, where does the biggest environmental payoff usually come from in construction? Surprisingly often, it’s in the additives. Not the most glamorous component, maybe—but they play a key role in how materials perform and how much they cost the planet to produce, install, and maintain. Notably, material acquisition tends to always represent the highest percentage of carbon emissions, which underscores why choosing a sustainable material can have the most significant impact on a business’s overall carbon footprint.
Switching to eco-friendly construction additives can significantly cut CO₂ emissions—not just in the short term, but over the full life of a building. By using durable building additives that reduce the need for repairs or replacements, contractors are helping prevent unnecessary material waste and repeated transportation costs.
What’s more, certain products from Cemkem can reduce energy usage during application and improve the efficiency of production mixes, meaning lower operational carbon as well as embodied carbon. That, in turn, feeds into increasingly important sustainability metrics that many projects now demand.
And it’s not just about emissions. Choosing low-carbon building products also tends to reduce what ends up in landfills. Improved mix stability and longer shelf life reduce waste, while formulations designed with biodegradability in mind lessen the long-term environmental load.
In short, fewer emissions, less waste, and a stronger environmental story. That’s what this shift is really about—contractors taking action where it counts, one smart product choice at a time.
2. Improved Durability and Performance
It’s easy to assume that sustainable materials are somehow softer or less reliable, but that idea’s a bit out of date now. Contractors are increasingly seeing that green construction trends aren’t just about what’s left out of the mix—they’re about what’s been improved.
What Makes Materials Last Longer
Durable building additives are often designed to increase resistance to the very things that typically wear down materials over time: heat, water, cracking, and shrinkage. This means better structural integrity from day one, and far fewer fixes needed down the line. That’s good news not just for project timelines, but for long-term reputation, too.
The right additives can significantly enhance how well mortars and other construction materials perform in varied climates. Moisture tolerance, thermal stability, and improved bonding strength all play into durability, and all are areas where chemical innovation quietly leads the charge.
Cemkem’s Durability Boosters
Our solutions are developed with exactly this kind of performance in mind. From additives that increase surface cohesion to those that reduce water demand, their product range is built to deliver stronger, longer-lasting results, without adding complexity on-site.
Put simply, more resilient builds mean fewer call-backs and a better bottom line. And in a way, that’s the most sustainable outcome of all.
3. Cost Efficiency and ROI
Let’s clear something up—it’s not the 1990s anymore. Sustainable doesn’t have to mean expensive. In fact, it often means the opposite.
Many contractors are finding that by switching to more advanced, sustainable solutions, they’re not only building better, but they’re spending less over time. The perception that eco-conscious options stretch budgets just doesn’t hold up when you look at the full picture.
Think lifecycle, not list price. That’s where the wins stack up:
- Fewer Failures: Stronger materials mean fewer issues and fewer costly repairs.
- Reduced Labour Costs: Improved workability can speed up installation, cutting time on site.
- Less Waste: Longer shelf life and more stable mixes mean less product thrown away.
- Lower Running Costs: Some additives help reduce operational energy use in buildings, which can be a selling point for clients.
With the right mix of eco-friendly construction additives, it’s actually easier to stick to budgets while delivering standout results. And with Cemkem, you’re not compromising—you’re just choosing smarter.
4. Compliance with Regulations and Industry Standards
It’s one thing to want to do better for the planet, but quite another when the rules say you have to. And that’s increasingly the case in construction.
Environmental regulations are tightening across the board, especially in relation to emissions, waste management, and product certification. Building projects now face stricter checks not only on design, but on the materials used from the ground up.
Contractors using sustainable construction materials are already ahead of the curve. Many low-carbon building products help meet or exceed compliance standards, making life easier when the paperwork hits. And fewer delays during audits or inspections? That’s a win in anyone’s book.
This is where Cemkem’s construction solutions come into play. Their range is developed with current and future standards in mind, offering contractors peace of mind in an industry where the goalposts keep shifting.
For many, using sustainable materials isn’t just a good PR move—it’s becoming a risk management tool. And frankly, it’s a smart one.
5. Growing Consumer Demand for Green Construction
It’s not just regulators pushing for change. The pressure’s also coming from clients—the ones commissioning the builds and paying the invoices.
Across both public and private sectors, there’s growing demand for projects that tick the sustainability box from start to finish. And it’s not just about being seen to care—it’s about long-term value. Property developers, housing associations, and even individual homeowners are asking more questions about material choices and environmental credentials.
Using eco-friendly construction additives and sustainable construction materials isn’t just a way to win the moral argument—it helps contractors win more bids. Tenders increasingly favour proposals that show lower embodied carbon, greener sourcing, and reduced environmental impact.
That’s why working with partners like The Rakem Group can actually give contractors a commercial edge. The products are proven, the support is technical, and the message is clear: this is where the industry is going.
