GSE leads the way in sustainable construction with low-carbon concrete slabs
Reducing CO2: imperative for the planet’s future

Sustainable development is now an official priority of GSE’s mission. As a major general contractor in the commercial real estate sector, we’ve taken significant steps over the last twelve months to reduce our carbon footprint. We now systematically include a next-gen sustainable solution in our projects: low-carbon concrete slabs for all our logistics, industrial and services buildings, as well as our car parks. This reduces the CO2 emissions from slabs by up to 18% over their life cycle. The switch is perfectly in line with new legislation, such as France’s anti-waste law for a circular economy (AGEC) and the 2020 environmental regulations (RE2020).
Concrete’s carbon footprint originates overwhelmingly from cement, which accounts for 94% of the total emissions. Of this, 40% are linked to the fuel required for the high-temperature kilns, while the remaining 60% come from the decarbonation of the limestone during the pre-calcination phase in the kiln.
By addressing these facts in our approach, we can strengthen our commitment to sustainable & innovative solutions, supporting our mission to protect the environment while maintaining a strong technical performance.
Low-carbon slabs, an innovative response
Concrete accounts for some 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it a critical industrial challenge for the construction sector. To reduce this carbon footprint, we offer an innovative solution: low-carbon slabs.
This technology uses improved materials, particularly alternative cements, to reduce CO2 emissions during manufacture. By relying on cutting-edge processes and alternative components such as CEM III cements and fly ash, we reduce our buildings’ carbon footprint significantly – without compromising their integrity or durability.
To meet this challenge and reduce concrete’s carbon footprint, manufacturers are focusing their efforts on three areas:
- the proportions of clinker in cement
- the types of fuel used in the kilns
- the share of cement in concrete
Clinker reduction means looking for alternatives to conventional CEM I – Portland cement by combining it with various additives (blast furnace slag, fly ash, silica fumes, pozzolans, etc.), which are reflected in the classification of each type of cement.
For warehouse paving, replacing CEM II/A-S cement with CEM III/A cement results in a significant carbon reduction of 10 kg of CO2 per m² of paving, i.e. more than 18%.

Sustainability and performance, the winning combo
Sustainability
The benefits of low-carbon slabs go beyond regulatory compliance. The carbon savings can be promoted through labels such as BBCA and Net Zero Carbon. Although certificates do not currently reward this type of paving, they too are evolving and moving towards greater recognition of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).
Performance
In terms of performance, low-carbon concretes meet quality standards – such as NF EN206/CN – and comply with GSE’s Quality Assurance Plan (QAP). As with conventional concretes, particular attention is paid to their formulation to ensure a high level of flatness. Besides slabs, these concretes can be used in a variety of other applications, such as foundations, compression slabs, shuttered walls, lamppost blocks, charging points, etc.

The twofold benefits of sustainability and performance make low-carbon slabs a vital solution for the construction sector.
The environmental transition is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges facing the construction sector in the 21st century. As a general contractor in commercial real estate, GSE is committed to this goal. We have decided to use low-carbon slabs in all our projects, illustrating our commitment to the future. This innovative solution demonstrates once again that environmental protection and economic performance can go hand in hand. We are determined to continue along this path, placing sustainability at the heart of all we do and playing an active part in a future that is more respectful of the planet.