Saudi Readymix paves the way for sustainable concrete mixes by publishing 54 EPDs with One Click LCA

How Saudi Readymix published 54 EPDs for low-carbon concrete mixes and won projects using One Click LCA

Our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) play a crucial role in securing projects across different locations, setting us apart with a verified carbon footprint. Having a large portfolio of EPDs demonstrates our readiness whenever they are required.

 —  Chris Leptokaridis, Strategy and Technical Director at Saudi Readymix 

Paving the way for more sustainable concrete 

Established in 1978, Saudi Readymix is one of the leading producers of ready-mixed concrete in Saudi Arabia. As part of Alturki Holding, a major industrial conglomerate, Saudi Readymix works with public, private, and governmental clients, including entities like Saudi Aramco, SEC, SABIC, and the Royal Commission. The company operates a network of more than 40 factories — commercial and on-site — strategically spread across the Kingdom. Currently, Saudi Readymix employs around 2,500 people and has a fleet of more than 500 concrete trucks and 300 pumps. 

The role of EPDs in Saudi Readymix's decarbonization strategy 

To set targets, you must first measure. EPDs are our key tool for competing in projects and demonstrating our performance, beyond just greenwashing.

 — Chris Leptokaridis, Strategy and Technical Director at Saudi Readymix

Saudi Readymix has been a key player in delivering durable concrete solutions for major projects such as the Riyadh Metro, King Abdullah Economic City Seaport, and the Podium Tower Project in Al Khobar. To reduce its environmental impact and align with Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the Kingdom's aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, Saudi Readymix has implemented several key initiatives: 

• Eco-friendly concrete solutions: Increased recycled materials in its products by 40% and developed low-carbon concrete options, including cement-free and low-cement mixes 
• Energy efficiency & emissions reduction: Introduced fleet tracking systems and generator optimization strategies to cut emissions and enhance energy efficiency 
• Water conservation & waste management: Implemented wastewater recycling systems and controlled batching water use as well as waste management initiatives, such as reusing rejected concrete 
• Sustainable sourcing: Procures over 80% of raw materials locally and integrates Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) like fly ash, silica fume, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) to lower CO₂ emissions 
• Environmental certifications & research: Expanding EPDs and investing in R&D to develop sustainable materials and improve production processes

The challenges of EPD creation 

In 2019, Saudi Readymix became one of the first concrete companies in Saudi Arabia to develop and publish an EPD in collaboration with consultants. While this initial effort provided a valuable learning experience, it also highlighted the difficulties of introducing EPDs in a market that was — at the time — not yet ready to incorporate EPDs into the design process.  

Despite these hurdles, Saudi Readymix pushed forward, even producing informal calculators to showcase the environmental benefits of their concrete mixes to clients, while combating unsubstantiated claims made by competitors about "green concrete."  

Unlike Europe, where standard companies work with a limited range of 20 to 40 concrete mixes, Saudi Readymix manages thousands of active mix designs in its portfolio due to the local market's project-based approach. To keep up with evolving market demands and sustainability requirements, the company must continuously develop new mixes and generate corresponding EPDs. This need became even more pronounced after 2022, as client requests for EPDs surged. 

Benefits of One Click LCA: A reliable and user-friendly solution 

The software provided well-structured reports, step-by-step guidance, and comprehensive, easily accessible data sources. This helped us produce reliable EPDs on a larger scale. Additionally, the One Click LCA Academy, with its range of online training options and support helped our team in understanding and developing EPDs.

 — Chris Leptokaridis, Strategy and Technical Director at Saudi Readymix

After trying out various tools and comparing their capabilities, Saudi Readymix selected One Click LCA's software as the most user-friendly and efficient for creating EPDs. Chris also highlighted significant time savings as a key advantage. Tasks that once took days — requiring extensive data entry into complex Excel sheets and multiple meetings just to interpret requirements — can now be completed in just a day or two. 

On a product level, the EPDs provide key insights into how different types of materials and modes of transport affect the carbon footprint. This knowledge enables the company to refine concrete mixes and determine the optimal logistics chains for each product. EPDs are now an integral part of Saudi Readymix’s broader sustainability strategy that provides concrete and indisputable numbers to support their commitment to environmental responsibility.   

Saudi Readymix tube mill for GGBFS, White Cement & Type II Cement.

Saudi Readymix research and development lab

Saudi Readymix concrete mixer trucks

Testing of materials at the Saudi Readymix R&D center

Results: Publishing 54 EPDs since 2024 and securing new projects 

At Saudi Readymix, transparency and data-driven communication are central to our sustainability efforts. EPDs empower us to go beyond claims and engage with our clients and stakeholders using measurable, verified impact. They have become a powerful tool — not just for compliance, but for building trust, guiding innovation, and enabling more informed and sustainable choices in urban development. As we strive to lead our industry, tools like One Click LCA help us translate sustainability into action.

 — Abdullah Alsaeed, MARCOM & Sustainability Director at Saudi Readymix

Saudi Readymix is now performing life-cycle assessments (LCA) and creating EPDs regularly — nearly one per week — with One Click LCA. Since early 2024, the company has published 54 EPDs in-house, giving its team hands-on expertise in assessing environmental impacts. In January 2025, EPD Hub recognized Saudi Readymix as one of the top EPD publishers of the month.  

Beyond environmental benefits, EPDs have had a direct commercial impact. By maintaining a large pool of published EPDs, Saudi Readymix has successfully secured projects across multiple locations and positioned itself as a sustainability leader in the industry.  

C35 ( Cement Type I+21%NP+7%SF) - Concrete for Diaphragm Wall EPD generated using One Click LCA

C40/50 MPa Marine Bored Pile EPD generated using One Click LCA

C50C Reinforced Concrete (Marine/Landside) NEOM Port EPD generated using One Click LCA

CBGM (Cement Bound Granular Material - Base Layer) - NEOM Port EPD generated using One Click LCA

C50C Reinforced Concrete (Marine/Landside) NEOM Port EPD generated using One Click LCA

Creating EPDs and achieving carbon targets for the NEOM Project

At Saudi Readymix, our collaboration on the NEOM OXAGON T2 Marine Works project stands as a benchmark for integrating technical excellence with measurable sustainability. Working alongside Saudi Archirodon Ltd. as the ready-mix concrete supplier, we were tasked with delivering high-performance concrete solutions meeting NEOM’s stringent durability and sustainability criteria — including a 100-year service life and full alignment with Envision v3 “Platinum” certification standards.  

To comply with the project's embodied carbon targets — such as a maximum limit of 229 kgCO₂e/m³ for cast-in-place concrete — we employed an extensive carbon accounting methodology. This included preliminary assessments using mineral product databases, Circular Economy CO₂ estimators, and GCCA-based modeling to estimate cradle-to-gate emissions.  

To validate and publish our results, we adopted One Click LCA’s Concrete EPD Generator tool, allowing us to optimize mix designs in real time, confirm performance benchmarks, and produce verified EPDs. These efforts not only ensured regulatory and client compliance but also showcased our leadership in sustainable construction, reinforcing Saudi Readymix’s role in supporting NEOM’s ambitious environmental goals. 

Conclusion  

Saudi Readymix’s success with One Click LCA showcases how creating EPDs can not only promote environmental transparency but also fuel business growth and competitiveness in the evolving concrete industry. 

Looking ahead, Chris advises other companies in the industry to build internal capabilities for EPD production using specialized software, as relying on external consultants may not offer long-term competitive advantages. Ultimately, the ability to develop sustainable concrete mix designs in-house ensures that companies can differentiate themselves through the strength of their products and commitment to responsible construction practices.