Tunneling has emerged as the least disruptive and most efficient methodology for rail and vehicle...
Why SAPs Are a Low-Emission Alternative
The environmental cost of construction and directional drilling often flies under the radar, but the truth is clear—materials matter. Portland cement, commonly used as an additive to solidify waste, carries a steep carbon footprint, contributing nearly 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions annually.
By contrast, SAPs may require more energy to produce a ton of SAP, but are highly efficient - absorbing hundreds of times their own weight in water to quickly solidify wet waste into stable, stackable solids. SAP’s clearly provide the least carbon intensive solution when compared to both Portland and Quicklime (calcium oxide).
*CO₂e for Solidifying 1 m³ of Tunnel Muck (Specific Gravity 2; 2,000 kg/m³):
| Amendment | Dosage | Ilbs | Kg | CO₂e (kg/kg) | Total CO₂e (kg/m³) |
| SAP | 0.2% | 8.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 10.0 |
| Portland | 5% | 220 | 100 | 0.9 | 90.0 |
| Quicklime | 5% | 220 | 100 | 1.14 | 114.0 |
*CO₂e: Carbon dioxide equivalent — a standardized measure for comparing the emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential.
How SAPs Support Sustainable Practices
- Directional Drilling Mud Stabilization: SAPs rapidly absorb water, turning slurry into a stable solid without cement.
- Tunnel Muck Management: SAPs dewater muck for easier handling and possible reuse as backfill.
- Lightweight Transport: Smaller dosages mean less material to ship, reducing transportation emissions.
- Circular Economy Potential: Solidify material can often be reused, cutting landfill waste.
Global Push for Low-Carbon Construction Materials
Governments worldwide are raising the bar for sustainability in infrastructure. The EU’s Green Public Procurement rules, the UK’s Net Zero Strategy, and Canada’s Embodied Carbon Policies all encourage or require the use of low-carbon construction materials.
In many cases, public contracts now require Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and favor suppliers whose materials have significantly lower CO₂ footprints. For projects in regions with strict carbon accounting, such as the EU, Japan, and parts of the U.S., switching to SAPs not only reduces emissions but also helps ensure compliance and competitiveness in bidding.
By replacing carbon intensive amendment solutions like Portland cement and quicklime with highly efficient SAPs, companies can align with these regulations, enhance project sustainability scores, and meet growing client expectations for climate-conscious excess soil management in their infrastructure projects.
Efficiency Meets Environmental Stewardship
SAPs can absorb up to 400 times their weight in water, requiring a fraction of the dosage needed for cement or quicklime. This not only reduces environmental impact but also lowers costs, improves safety, streamlines site operations and creates beneficial reuse opportunities for an important soil resource.
Superabsorbent polymers aren’t just an alternative, they’re a strategic advantage in a global construction market increasingly driven by environmental performance. As regulations tighten and sustainability becomes a deciding factor in project approval and funding, adopting SAPs can help directional drilling and construction companies stay ahead of the curve while delivering measurable CO₂ reductions.
It’s a clear win-win: sustainable infrastructure and environmental stewardship working hand in hand.
