Sustainable Ready-Mixed Concrete (RMC) Production: A Case Study of Five RMC Plants in Nigeria

Oluseye Olugboyega, Obuks Ejohwomu (), Emmanuel Dele Omopariola and Alohan Omoregie
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Oluseye Olugboyega: Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife A234, Nigeria
Obuks Ejohwomu: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Emmanuel Dele Omopariola: Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
Alohan Omoregie: School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: This study aims to examine whether ready-mixed concrete (RMC) production in Nigeria is sustainable. This study proposes that RMC production will be sustainable, assuming the RMC plant, RMC products, plant management, RMC supply, RMC quality, and demand for RMC are sustainable. Based on a constructivist worldview, the proposition of RMC production’s sustainability was assessed by conducting a contextual analysis of five RMC plants in Lagos State, Nigeria. It was observed that the RMC plants required sustainability in power supply, plant output, and plant capacity. The plants have a sustainable supply of raw materials. The management methods and product control strategies were found to be unsustainable. Fair supply time, supply methods, and quality control systems were established in the findings. Challenges, such as administrative issues, economic problems, poor technology, and the absence of an innovative business model, influenced the sustainable demand for RMC products. This study concludes that alternative power supplies and methods such as just-in-time (JIT) purchasing systems and learning frameworks ought to be considered for RMC plants. Likewise, improving the ease of doing business would significantly help the sustainability of RMC production. This study presumes that RMC production is, as of now, not sustainable in Nigeria. Still, the sustainability of RMC production could be ensured through measures such as the reuse of waste, the adoption of innovative RMC production and delivery, and technological development.

Keywords: RMC; ready-mixed-concrete; sustainability; sustainable concrete production; re-use-waste; Nigeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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