September 19, 2025
Spotlight on Retrofit at UK Construction Week Birmingham

Spotlight on Retrofit at UK Construction Week Birmingham

UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham has joined forces with the National Retrofit Hub to deliver a dedicated seminar programme on retrofit. Visitors can expect insightful sessions covering topics such as upgrading and decarbonising the nation’s housing stock, driving innovation in retrofit practices, and exploring how retrofitting is an essential strategy

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Issue 332 : Sept 2025

September 19, 2025

Spotlight on Retrofit at UK Construction Week Birmingham

Spotlight on Retrofit at UK Construction Week Birmingham

UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham has joined forces with the National Retrofit Hub to deliver a dedicated seminar programme on retrofit. Visitors can expect insightful sessions covering topics such as upgrading and decarbonising the nation’s housing stock, driving innovation in retrofit practices, and exploring how retrofitting is an essential strategy in the race to Net Zero. On Day Two (Wednesday 1 October), the focus on the Housing Action Hub turns to retrofit’s role in reducing whole-life carbon emissions and strengthening climate resilience, with expert-led seminars. In addition, a number of other stages at the three day event will feature Retrofit focused talks and seminars. Once again, UKCW Birmingham will place itself at the heart of this critical national conversation. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, UKCW Birmingham (30 September – 2 October, NEC) returns under the theme “where decisions are made.” Across three days, visitors will experience an unmissable line-up of big-name speakers, CPD-accredited talks, live demonstrations, product launches, technical workshops, and unrivalled networking opportunities. The programme of talks on retrofit includes: Main Stage Wednesday October 1st, 10.30am Retrofit Revolution: Meeting Citizen Demand for Warmer, Greener Homes  At this session, you’ll learn about the latest research and insights on what drives demand for retrofit and decarbonisation. We’ll discuss the critical role householders play in enabling the transformation to low-carbon, low-cost, healthy homes, and how we all can better work with citizens to increase uptake and grow the retrofit sector. Speakers: Housing Action Hub Wednesday October 1st, 12.15pm Enabling Retrofit Innovation : RetroNetZero This seminar will present tools and resources published by the project that can help innovators and specifiers alike. We’ll explore regulatory pathways, discuss where innovators need to go to test and demonstrate their solutions and consider how regulation can better realise the health co-benefits of retrofit.  Speakers: Wednesday October 1st, 1.15pm Retrofit Connect: Birmingham & Stoke Update on Street Demos A panel of experts will showcase pioneering stories from the Retrofit Connect programme – part of the National Retrofit Hub’s strategy to enable equitable, locally led retrofit at scale. Speakers: Wednesday October 1st, 2.15pm Retrofit and Whole Life Carbon: What’s the Consensus? The UKCW panel dives into practical strategies for transforming existing structures into climate-resilient, low-carbon assets—from smart energy upgrades to sustainable materials. Join experts to explore how retrofitting can drive environmental impact, meet rising tenant demands, and future-proof the built environment. Speakers: Net Zero Hub Wednesday October 1st, 2pm Building a Sustainable Future: Retrofitting for Climate Resilience This session will bring together those behind some of the big standards, campaigns and solutions for reducing whole life carbon emissions, particularly in the retention and retrofit of existing buildings. The conversation will be far-reaching and consider policy, materiality, economics, and community needs. Speakers: To help attendees get the most out of the show, UK Construction Week has launched its handy web-based app. Visitors can quickly build a personalised itinerary of talks, book meetings and navigate the floorplan, including viewing the Net Zero Trail, all from the palm of their hand.  Neil Gaisford, Divisional Director, Construction, commented: “Retrofitting buildings has never been a more crucial part of construction and the pursuit of Net Zero, hence why we’re dedicating so many hours of UKCW seminars to discuss and dissect this important topic.” Alongside over 300 leading brands from around the world, UKCW Birmingham will feature 200 speakers and over 150 hours of seminars and talks across five stages – all of which are CPD accredited. Visitors will also be able to hear from a stellar line-up of speakers across the Culture Change & Skills Hub, Net Zero Hub, Housing Action Hub, and Roofing, Cladding & Insulation Hub.  Visitors to UKCW can also elevate their experience with an exclusive VIP Pass for just £99 per day. The pass allows VIP guests to skip the queues with fast-track entry, relax in the exclusive VIP Lounge with complimentary coffee, a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, and a dedicated Wi-Fi network throughout the day. Free parking at the venue is also included in the purchase of the ticket.  To register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-birmingham-2025​/cab-pr To download the show app, visit https://www.ukconstructionweek.com/ukcw-app. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Aggreko Strengthens European Industrial HVAC expertise with two strategic appointments

Aggreko Strengthens European Industrial HVAC expertise with two strategic appointments

Global leader in energy solutions Aggreko has bolstered its industrial HVAC and process temperature specialist support with two appointments across its European team. With over four decades of cross-sector experience at Aggreko between them, Andreas Essmann is now Business Development Manager for Temperature Control and HVAC in Europe North, while Christophe Chihaoui is Head of Temperature Control for France, and supporting Europe South. They join recently appointed Head of Temperature Control for the UK, Chris Smith, on Aggreko specialist industrial HVAC and process temperature control team working across a range of sectors, including the construction industry. This includes providing temporary and supplementary cooling, heating and dehumidification solutions to support with on-site maintenance works, system upgrades, temperature spikes and unexpected outages throughout the year. The appointments come following prolonged periods of extreme and unpredictable weather over the summer, including record temperatures reached during heatwaves[1]. Such conditions have been cause for concern for safety on sites and potential for operational and process temperature challenges. The prolonged periods of heat have led to growing strain on HVAC systems across industries, resulting in further demand from businesses and their appointed contractors for reliable and efficient temporary alternatives during critical maintenance and upgrade schedules. Early forecasts for the coming winter have conversely predicted colder than normal temperatures to face Europe with areas over the North-West and Southern Europe set to experience above average rainfall[2]. Responding to this, Aggreko is warning HVAC contractors and engineers, facilities managers and businesses across sectors to ensure they have plans in place to mitigate challenges caused by changing weather throughout the year. To support construction sites to remain resilient through unpredictable and extreme weather across the year, Aggreko has invested significantly in its fleet. Through its new team of specialists leveraging Aggreko’s extensive energy expertise, customers will also be able to receive integrated assistance using the company’s innovative power and temperature control fleet to boost efficiency and resilience. This includes accessing the latest offerings from Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades™ portfolio, such as hybrid temperature control solutions using battery energy storage systems alongside Stage V generators to save fuel, reduce emissions and improve reliability. On his appointment, Andreas said: “I am pleased to be leading the charge working with across Europe North to satisfy their temperature control needs. With rising temperatures and increasing demand for reliable, efficient HVAC systems, it is more important than ever that we support businesses with solutions capable of adapting to not only the changing weather patterns, but their evolving needs too. At Aggreko, we have made significant investment in our expertise and solutions meet the demands of industrial customers in Europe North and I look forward to leading our expert engineering teams to deliver this.” Christophe said: “Extreme weather conditions we have been seeing across France can have a significant impact on HVAC systems, and customers are finding themselves in need of additional capacity, fast. As part of this team, we have the expertise to help these companies plan for their requirements throughout the year and implement the correct technologies quickly. I’m excited to get started and help our customers futureproof their industrial HVAC, process temperature and efficient power solutions so they are prepared for anything.” Robert Wells, Europe President at Aggreko, said: “We are committed to ensuring our solutions and expertise respond to the changing needs of our customers to deliver the efficiency, reliability and sustainability they need on site. As unpredictable European weather continues to pose challenges, the appointment of two experienced experts into a dedicated team aimed at supporting our customers with their evolving industrial HVAC and process temperature is a central part of this. Alongside Chris Smith, Head of Temperature Control for the UK and Ireland, Andreas and Christophe bring together over six decades of on the ground experience across our key sectors in Europe and can ensure we can bring deep local knowledge backed by our global expertise.” Click the link for more information about Aggreko’s industrial HVAC and process temperature control solutions [1] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/13/temperature-records-heatwave-europe-france-croatia-wildfires [2] https://www.severe-weather.eu/long-range-2/winter-2025-2026-early-forecast-la-nina-polar-vortex-cold-pattern-united-states-canada-europe-fa/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Top Advantages of GFRP Rebar That Drive the Construction Industry in Europe and the U.S.

Top Advantages of GFRP Rebar That Drive the Construction Industry in Europe and the U.S.

Infrastructure investment is growing across both Europe and the U.S., driven by strict environmental regulations and green construction initiatives. In the United States alone, the federal government has allocated USD 1.8 trillion in the form of tax credits, federal grants, loans, and other financial incentives. For instance, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides almost $350 billion for Federal highway programs over a 5-year period (2022-2026). This is the largest infrastructure investment in American history. As governments invest unprecedented resources to renew aging infrastructure and meet carbon reduction targets, construction professionals turn to modern materials that deliver the required performance and comply with new environmental requirements. GFRP rebar represents a solution to infrastructure challenges due to its properties, such as corrosion resistance, durability in aggressive environments, and installation efficiency. The composite rebar technology transforms the entire construction industry and changes how we build lasting infrastructure across different environments, from California’s coastal highways to Europe’s mountainous regions. The United States, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands are among the countries leading GFRP rebar adoption: forward-thinking engineers agree that choosing GFRP rebar today means building infrastructure that serves reliably to several generations. What Is a Fiberglass Rebar? As the name Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer implies, GFRP rebar is composed of glass fibers embedded in a polymer matrix. The final composite material outperforms steel in many applications due to the set of advanced properties, such as resistance to corrosion, electromagnetic neutrality, and a strength-to-weight ratio. The use of GFRP rebar spans various infrastructure applications, including: Marine structures and bridge decks; Tunnels and underground facilities (parking garages) exposed to deicing salts; MRI, aero-navigational, and research facilities that require non-magnetic reinforcement; Highways, etc. With a better understanding of GFRP rebar properties, the adoption of composite reinforcement expands across various construction sectors. Top 7 Composite Rebar Advantages The principal advantages of FRP rebar over conventional steel reinforcement have transformed the construction industry. Here is a brief review of features that make composite materials a preferred option across the construction sector. Corrosion resistance in aggressive environments The primary reason that bridges and tunnels deteriorate is corrosion of the steel rebar used for reinforcement. Exposed to moisture, salts, and chlorides, steel rebar corrodes and cracks the concrete. Composite rebar eliminates this weakness as it maintains structural integrity and isn’t prone to corrosion. Example: GFRP rebar was used for the replacement of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge in North Carolina to prevent the corrosive effect of the marine environment and extend the service life of the bridge. Composite reinforcement was used for the barrier walls of the Champlain Bridge (Montreal) to improve the overall durability, given the FRP material’s resistance to road salts. Lightweight facilitates efficient installation The weight of GFRP rebar is approximately ¼ of steel rebar. The lightweight nature has a great impact on transportation logistics, installation process, and construction timelines. This leads to safer handling, lower transportation costs, and faster project completion. The lightweight is particularly valuable for remote and difficult-to-access construction sites. Enhanced durability in extreme conditions In severe conditions, GFRP rebar demonstrates superior service life compared to conventional steel reinforcement. Composite materials withstand chemical exposure, temperature fluctuations, freeze-thaw cycles, and other environmental stresses that cause steel deterioration. Cost efficiency Despite a 20-30% higher initial cost, the lifecycle cost analysis demonstrates substantial savings given the eliminated maintenance costs, longer service life, and reduced frequency of replacement. Example: Typically, a coastal bridge requires rehabilitation every 25-35 years. This results in traffic disruption and costs millions in repairs. Composite reinforcement eliminates the need for these maintenance cycles due to the longer service life (75-100 years) and non-corrosive properties of FRP. Hence, the higher initial GFRP rebar cost is fully justified in the long run. The key factors influencing GFRP rebar’s cost-efficiency: Eliminated corrosion-related maintenance Extended lifespan Reduced traffic disruption and consequent economic losses Lower inspection costs Electromagnetic neutrality for specialized applications  Non-conductive and non-magnetic properties of GFRP rebar open application possibilities impossible with traditional reinforcement. The material doesn’t interfere with the performance of sensitive electronic equipment and can be used for the construction of airports and telecommunication infrastructure, research labs, MRI facilities, and subway stations. Electromagnetic compatibility regulations across Europe and the U.S. support non-conductive reinforcement for construction projects with sensitive installations, such as diagnostic centers and navigation & communication systems. This trend drives further implementation of GFRP in urban infrastructure to ensure that electronic systems operate without interference. Green building certification and environmental sustainability Green building standards recognize the environmental benefits of GFRP. Construction projects that pursue BREEAM and LEED certifications can leverage GFRP rebar’s sustainability potential to achieve the certification goals. The environmental benefits of composite materials are substantial: GFRP rebar production has much lower carbon emissions compared to steel manufacturing. Besides, rebar transportation produces a lower carbon footprint due to the lighter weight of composites: fewer vehicles and less fuel are required per project. The material aligns with EU and U.S. federal initiatives that promote carbon reduction and sustainable construction. Future-ready infrastructure standard GFRP rebar has evolved from an alternative reinforcement to the preferred standard for future infrastructure. The transition reflects growing recognition of composite rebar properties that address challenges the construction sector faces. GFRP rebar manufacturers continuously improve the technology to enhance specific properties and expand applications. Automation of GFRP rebar production lines increases efficiency and consistency and reduces costs. Why GFRP Becomes the New Standard in Modern Infrastructure The advantages of GFRP rebar extend beyond the composite material properties to encompass the total project value. When compared to steel, we need to consider not only the initial costs of GFRP rebar manufacturing but lifetime performance, maintenance requirements, and environmental impact. GFRP rebar production has evolved and provided consistent quality, competitive pricing, and reliable supply chains. The industry continuously expands capacity to meet the growing demand from infrastructure projects with the priority to durability and sustainability. Modern infrastructure requires materials that perform reliably and support environmental goals. Composite rebar meets both requirements and provides the foundation for infrastructure that can serve communities

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