The UEFA Europa League Final took place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which was constructed using advanced low-carbon concrete materials to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The stadium's construction featured innovative low-carbon concrete materials, which played a pivotal role in minimising its carbon footprint.

Spearheaded by the European company Ecocem in 2010, the project incorporated advanced techniques and materials to achieve substantial CO2 reductions.

During the construction, 8,000 off-site precast units and 72,000 tonnes of in-situ concrete were utilised. A significant component of this concrete was Ecocem Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS), which constituted 40% of the mix. This substitution was crucial in saving over 4,000 tonnes of CO2, a substantial environmental benefit.

To put this into perspective, the CO2 savings equate to taking approximately 1,280 cars off the road for an entire year, demonstrating the significant impact of sustainable construction practices.

The use of Ecocem GGBS not only reduced carbon emissions but also enhanced the quality of the stadium’s finish. The lighter hue of GGBS compared to traditional Portland Cement results in a higher albedo effect.

This means that the finished concrete surface reflects more solar light back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing it, which helps in reducing the heat island effect typically associated with urban environments.

The 2024 UEFA Europa League Final itself was a memorable event. Italian team Atalanta emerged victorious over the German team Bayer Leverkusen, 3-0. This win was particularly significant for Atalanta as it marked their first European trophy, a historic achievement for the club.

The final also brought an end to Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten streak, adding another layer of drama and excitement to the event.

About Ecocem

‘To build a sustainable future by leading the way with low carbon cement technology.’

Ecocem is here to accelerate decarbonisation in the construction sector. How?

By developing, breakthrough low-carbon products for the concrete and cement industries. We’ve been pioneers for over 20 years, including helping to develop the lowest carbon cement ever used in Europe at scale. You’ll find our cement everywhere from Le Grand Paris to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.