The Keystone Group, the UK’s largest steel lintel manufacturer has launched a new and exciting education initiative to help cement the future of brickwork students across the UK and Ireland. Serving as an enterprising response to the current building industry skills shortfall, ‘Keyskills’ showcases a wide range of construction methods
Brick is the traditional building material in the UK and although architectural styles may come and go, brick seems to be a constant. There are however limitations to the use of whole bricks, particularly as they require a lot of energy to manufacture. The increase in the cost of energy
Following the government’s announcement to make sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) mandatory across England, ACO Water Management is supporting urban planners, architects and civil engineers to embed sustainable drainage into their designs. SuDS will become a legal requirement in 2024 after a recent government review. Making SuDS a necessary obligation aims
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has achieved Secured by Design accreditation for its overhead sectional door with burglar-proof window elements (OH1042P), recognising its design qualities to deliver enhanced security, safety and efficiency. Meeting the rigorous testing standards set out by Secured by Design, the industrial door system with window panels is
On the week the Bank of England announced that inflation is easing across the UK[1], Klober echoed a sense of positivity as it reports a cautiously optimistic start to 2023. However, Klober warns that navigating demand and volatility of raw material prices will remain a challenge for many across the
It is not very often that a company comes along and has a product offer that ‘ticks all the boxes’, but when it does, customers are usually savvy enough to take advantage. What is it that makes such an offer irresistible? Customers, in this instance are facade fabricators and installers,
Metal building envelope specialist SIG Building Solutions has launched a warranted twin skin system called ‘Gemello’. Gemello, is a self-supporting roof and wall system consisting of a trapezoidal pre-finished steel liner and outer sheet with a Class A1 non-combustible glass fibre insulation in between. Under development for a number of
British Steel has confirmed its sections will be deployed in the £34 million revamp of Middlesbrough Station. Teams are currently working on the second part of the transport scheme, which will revitalise the station undercroft, create new walkways and spaces for businesses and boost capacity for more rail services. “We’re
EKFB, a Joint Venture responsible for delivering works on the HS2 high speed railway running from London to the North-West, has improved the sustainability credentials of the project by choosing to use green construction innovators, Dura Products. The project will involve the installation of Dura Product’s eco-friendly kerbing solution, Durakerb
Scientists and industry unite to decarbonise construction supply chain and tackle global climate emergency Cement 2 Zero (C2Z), a UK-based demonstrator project to trial the world’s first zero-emissions cement on an industrial scale, was officially launched this week having successfully conducted the first in a series of pilot-scale melts. The
The Keystone Group, the UK’s largest steel lintel manufacturer has launched a new and exciting education initiative to help cement the future of brickwork students across the UK and Ireland. Serving as an enterprising response to the current building industry skills shortfall, ‘Keyskills’ showcases a wide range of construction methods through free training support and materials. The initiative, involving Keystone Group’s IG Masonry Support, IG Lintels, Keyfix and Keystone Lintels brands, focuses on relieving financial pressures on education establishments to allow extra funding for the development and recruitment of bricklaying training courses. Owen Coyle, Divisional CEO within the Keystone Group, said collaboration with colleges and training facilities will be crucial to Keyskills’ success. “This is a fantastic opportunity for places of education to offer first-class training programmes and ‘skill-up’ a new generation of bricklayers,” Owen Coyle said. “The shortage of skilled tradespeople throughout the building sector as a whole is a well-known, long-standing issue. With this shortage, we want to collaborate with education establishments to relieve financial pressure and enable funds to be reallocated back into the development and recruitment of these training programmes.” Keyskills has a range of gratis benefits to support the recruitment and training process including training rigs and free product to support installation education, tours of Keystone’s manufacturing facilities, training presentations from Keystone’s technical experts, awards and event sponsorship, free merchandise and equipment and more. According to the Construction Skills Network, the UK needs to recruit 1,450 more bricklayers per year over the next five years to keep pace with building demands. But building to the requisite standard is more than a numbers game, particularly as poor brickwork has been the foremost issue on new-build inspection reports for the past decade. Therefore, instilling the right skillset in youngsters aiming to take-up this most traditional and vital of trades will be essential to delivering properties that perform as-designed. Owen Coyle continued: “In the months and years to come, we hope Keyskills will have played a meaningful part in supporting the recruitment and training of the bricklayers we need to meet our future building needs. We look forward to hearing from education partners who are keen to join us on this exciting journey.” Don’t miss out on this unique training opportunity, click here to find out how you can take part in the Keyskills initiative. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brick is the traditional building material in the UK and although architectural styles may come and go, brick seems to be a constant. There are however limitations to the use of whole bricks, particularly as they require a lot of energy to manufacture. The increase in the cost of energy as a result of the war in Ukraine has had a dramatic impact on brick manufacturers and led to some significant price increases. In addition, the need to improve sustainability in construction means alternatives to whole bricks are being sought to reduce the embedded energy of projects. One such alternative to whole bricks is extruded brick slips. Made from natural clay and fired like traditional bricks, extruded brick slips are manufactured as thin slips or tiles requiring only 30-40% of the energy used to manufacture whole bricks, which is quite a substantial reduction in energy consumption. Furthermore, manufactured brick slips are usually around 15mm thick and are packed up to 3000 slips to a pallet as opposed to up to 600 whole bricks to a pallet. This means fewer pallets of brick slips will be required to cover a given area compared with traditional bricks, reducing associated transport costs. Eurobrick Systems have been supplying brick slip cladding systems for over 30 years and have witnessed first-hand the growth in the market for brick slips. Their Britannia range is a selection of kiln fired natural clay brick slips that provide excellent quality and great value, offering a wide range of colours and textures to choose from. Suitable for both exterior and interior projects, the smooth finish and clean edges of some brick slips in this range complement contemporary designs while others offer the more traditional aesthetic that is always in demand. With this wide-ranging collection, there is something to suit all projects. Manufactured in standard UK metric sizes, the nominal size of the Britannia range brick slip is 215mm in length by 65mm height with a thickness of just 14-15mm. Corner pieces are also available and nominally measure 215 x 65 x 100 x 14-15mm. Eurobrick also have a specially formulated pointing mortar called Europoint which is designed for bag or gun injection into the joints of its brick slip cladding systems. Europoint is available in 8 colours to contrast with or complement the brick choice. Eurobrick’s systems and brick slips provide a low maintenance, durable finish that is virtually indistinguishable from traditional brickwork. If you would like to discuss your project or brick slip requirements in more detail, please call them on 0117 971 7117 or you can find out more about Eurobrick’s systems and products at www.eurobrick.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the government’s announcement to make sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) mandatory across England, ACO Water Management is supporting urban planners, architects and civil engineers to embed sustainable drainage into their designs. SuDS will become a legal requirement in 2024 after a recent government review. Making SuDS a necessary obligation aims to help further reduce surface water flooding and water pollution, and lower the pressure on sewerage systems that often get overwhelmed in heavy rainfall events. Regulations and processes are currently being established but SuDS are expected to be compulsory for any new development, building or structure over 100sqm. It is anticipated that SuDS plans will need to be submitted to SuDS Approvals Bodies (SABs), which will fall under the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). However, ACO Water Management, a leading drainage and water management manufacturer, warns firms not to delay in acting. Instead, it advises to start planning ahead now for the incoming changes, especially given a knowledge and skills gap across the industry. Sam Hawkins, National Specification Manager at ACO, said: “This rule change by the government is a welcome one and will help to address the challenges we’ve seen recently with flooding. More importantly, mandatory SuDS will ensure we can start to mitigate the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. “While it seems far off, it’s vital that everybody within the construction industry pulls together now rather than ‘wait and see’, otherwise we could see residential and commercial projects being held up and exacerbating current issues we’re seeing in the sector. This is especially as we know from our own research that there are different levels of awareness around SuDS requirements, and how to implement SuDS that perform well. At ACO, we’re here to help overcome these challenges, and our team is ready to help with design and specification to ensure compliance.” The new regulations will come about through implementation of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which is already in force in Wales. However, as reported by Planning Resource, the. In a recent report by ACO, titled Highway Drainage: The Route to Surface Water Management, it found similar conclusions in a survey of 100 infrastructure and highways engineers, including: “It is great to see the government acknowledging the difference SuDS can make and taking the necessary steps to protect properties and natural habitats. There is much work to do, so it’s vital that water management suppliers assist in the journey,” said Sam. “We encourage all key stakeholders to come to us if they have questions in creating sustainable drainage systems, and at ACO, we have an entire portfolio of drainage and water management solutions to assist in any scheme. Alongside this, engineers can access our free-to-use tools like our QuAD design software, and our colleagues are on hand to ensure we can provide the support required.” To find out more about ACO Water Management and to read its highways drainage report, please visit https://www.aco.co.uk/the-route-to-surface-water-management-report Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has achieved Secured by Design accreditation for its overhead sectional door with burglar-proof window elements (OH1042P), recognising its design qualities to deliver enhanced security, safety and efficiency. Meeting the rigorous testing standards set out by Secured by Design, the industrial door system with window panels is designed to support efficiency, alongside improving safety and security in industrial environments. Featuring heavy duty aluminium double-layered frames, the window panel boosts security while enhancing natural light levels and maximising visibility of busy external yards. The door system also benefits from Resistance Class 2 (RC2) certification thanks to an innovative enhanced mechanical locking system. By retaining engagement when in the closed position, opportunist thefts can be prevented with a resistance time of three minutes. Having also undergone thermal testing, the OH1042P delivers an excellent U-value, contributing towards wider efforts to maximise energy efficiency on site. Class 3 certification for water tightness, together with wind-resistant reinforced panels, makes the overhead sectional door the ideal choice for industrial facilities. “Security is a key consideration for businesses today, which is why we’re so pleased to see our overhead sectional door achieve both Secured by Design and RC2 certifications,” said Dan Baron of ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems. “We believe that entrance systems today should deliver all-round quality, making it possible to deliver on every requirement without compromise.” “The certifications from Secured by Design and RC2, alongside our market-leading design and quality, mean our customers don’t have to make a choice between performance, functionality, safety and security. With the OH1042P, it’s all built in and, as the first overhead sectional door with certified burglar proof window panels to achieve both certifications, we really are leading the way in industrial entrance systems.” Secured by Design is the recognised police initiative which aims to improve building security to deter and reduce crime by identifying products which strengthen security. For businesses, this stamp of approval provides greater confidence in a product’s ability to make premises more secure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
On the week the Bank of England announced that inflation is easing across the UK[1], Klober echoed a sense of positivity as it reports a cautiously optimistic start to 2023. However, Klober warns that navigating demand and volatility of raw material prices will remain a challenge for many across the roofing sector. In response to current economic landscape, Klober is ensuring the necessary measures are in place to help customers remain agile. Notably, it is continuing to expand its range of products with the planned introduction of 20 new SKUs in Q1 with good, better, and best options available in more categories. According to Klober, this will enable merchants and contractors to stay competitive in the potentially contracting new build and repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) sectors. Control over the supply chain is another area that Klober is continuing to build upon as it aims to leverage the strength of its position in one of the largest construction manufacturing businesses in the world, BMI Group. Klober manufactures the majority of its products in four of its own factories, as well as being able to draw on the wider 116 manufacturing locations in the BMI Group. Klober has recently started making a number of verges, such as the new Ambi Verge and Thin Leading Edge, at its Mittelheim factory in Germany, with significant investment into moulds and machinery. The business has also made recent internal structural changes that mean the UK team will be working more closely with their overseas colleagues for product enhancement. Chris Nicholls, Commercial Director at Klober comments: “Of course we’re pleased to see such a strong start to the year, but we also realise the risk of being overly optimistic. What we can be certain about, however, is the fact we have invested significantly in having good control over our supply chain, as well as the wide breadth range of products on the market. “Being part of BMI not only means we can pass on that level of reassurance to customers that A, we will have high-performing product readily available at a price that suits, but B, that we are continuing to innovate based on our shared knowledge and learning throughout the group. Our membranes are a case in point whereby we have worked with our French and German colleagues to provide market leading products such as our Permo Air. We now have various similar workstreams ongoing which are linked to a number of pending product launches.” For more information on Klober, CLICK HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
It is not very often that a company comes along and has a product offer that ‘ticks all the boxes’, but when it does, customers are usually savvy enough to take advantage. What is it that makes such an offer irresistible? Customers, in this instance are facade fabricators and installers, who seek a value proposition. To some ‘value’ may be seen as competitive prices for aluminium systems, but this is not the case for any serious facade company. As a supplier, ‘credibility’ and ‘partnering’ are two key elements high on the ‘tick list’ for a facade company. Credibility is the depth of aluminium system options and profiles which are only attainable from large systems companies. Typically, these systems companies have already designed and supplied a wide range of profiles to cater for many complex installations. Partnership comes in the form of systems company support, working side by side with a facade company. Pioneering throughout the construction cycle with the systems company recognising ‘value management’ which ensures both client quality and cost management for the facade company. These are just two of the pillars that Aluprof have built its business upon over the last sixteen years of systems supply in the UK and Ireland. Aluprof’s logistics provides weekly deliveries to Ireland from an extensive stock of aluminium systems and hardware located at their head office in Poland. Powder coating to a Qualicoat specification, including thermal break facilities, are all housed under the same roof in Poland allowing products to be finished to meet any specification. Aluprof also offers a fabrication service to support its network of fabricator installers across the region when required to meet programme expectations. Coupled with a physical ‘on the ground’ presence from Aluprof UK & Ireland’s team of support technicians, has quickly placed Aluprof UK in Ireland as a major systems supplier. Facade fabricators and installers nationwide quickly appreciated the benefits of well designed, robust Aluprof systems and dedicated technical and customer backup. This co-operation grew into many strong, long-term relationships, carried out through difficult times during the 2008 economic downturn and more recently Covid. Of many projects located in Ireland, here are a selection of several projects that have recently been completed in Dublin: Home to a wide range of global businesses Dublin Landings offers 100,000 sq.m of office, residential and retail accommodation set in over 5.8 acres on the banks of the River Liffey. E1 Dublin Landings is one of several buildings in the development overlooking the river where Aluprof systems have been specified. Designed jointly by RKD Architects and Arrow Architects the projects utilises both curtain wall and window systems from Aluprof’s extensive catalogue. To the North West of Dublin Landings and just a 15 minute walk away from Trinity College, Kavanagh Court offers student accommodation in modern high quality rooms in the city centre. The development boasts a rooftop terrace, a modern gym, cinema room, laundry room, secure cycle storage and fast 100Mb WiFi. Owned and maintained by Yugo, the development opened to students in September 2017 and is one of the largest purpose built student halls in Dublin. The development provides accommodation for 491 students with bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms that all sit within 88 self-contained ‘house units’ of varying sizes. Designed by John Fleming Architects the project was built by Bennett Construction. To the south of the River Liffey, Dublin’s Molesworth Street and Dawson Street have been the focal point of the city’s elegant quarter. The project ‘One Molesworth Street’ epitomises this status and can be viewed as one of the capital’s most distinguished addresses. The project was designed by leading architects, Henry J Lyons, offering sheer quality to maximise the occupier experience. The Dawson Street facade uses vertical glass fins together with bronze anodised brise soleil. The Aluprof systems facade finishes and proportions have been designed to complement the neighbouring buildings. Back on the south bank of the River Liffey, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay was one of the first projects to be supplied by Aluprof in Ireland. It is a six storey office building complete with basement which offers modern office accommodation. Adjoining the Ferryman and Tropical Fruit Store the glass facade of the building is designed to maximise the spectacular views from the development. Designed by HKR Architects, the completed development now offers 6,500 square metres of office space. Having a strong presence in the Irish construction scene, Aluprof UK is supporting the Irish Construction Excellence Awards 2023 for the second time. Located at the Convention Centre, Dublin, the 27th April event, organised by the Irish Building Magazine, is always a construction highlight of the year for the Green Isle. As Gold Sponsor at the Gala Event, Aluprof will offer awards in the best ‘Education Project’ and the best ’Healthcare Project‘ categories. The awards, founded by the Irish Building Magazine in 1993, are generally known as the ICE Awards and are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland. The Gala Night is always attended by Ireland’s elite construction professionals, where construction leaders, design and supply chain partners, and clients meet and celebrate construction excellence. Currently with overseas growth further extending across Europe, into the Middle East and with firm roots already in the East of the USA, Aluprof continues to grow into a global player in facade supply. Further information about systems and specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Metal building envelope specialist SIG Building Solutions has launched a warranted twin skin system called ‘Gemello’. Gemello, is a self-supporting roof and wall system consisting of a trapezoidal pre-finished steel liner and outer sheet with a Class A1 non-combustible glass fibre insulation in between. Under development for a number of years, the system is now available for the roofing and cladding of steel framed buildings, including industrial, retail, office, health, education, and leisure buildings. This new SIG Building Solutions roof and wall system can be tailored to suit the aesthetic, acoustic, thermal, fire and loading requirements of a building. The Gemello external profiles are available in an extensive range of colours, profiles and coatings, enabling designers to create visually-engaging buildings. In addition, the Gemello system can provide U-values down to 0.12 W/m²K or lower depending on the required performance. The design of a twin skin system also allows for denser materials to be used in its construction, improving acoustic sound reduction and rain noise. A key feature is the Gemello system warranty. The Gemello warranty is flexible, providing warranty periods for 12, 25 or 30 years. This warranty covers all the components within the twin skin system and the system itself. SIG Building Solutions provides an extensive range of accessories for Gemello, including rooflights, gutters, flashings, fascias and cappings. Working alongside the customer with a collaborative approach, SIG Building Solutions provides the technical expertise and robust product offering to develop a bespoke, effective roof and/or wall system with minimum complexity. Commenting on Gemello, Samantha Jones, SIG Building Solutions’ commercial development director, said, “An exciting product development, Gemello is an example of the innovation and expertise that is made available by bringing our extensive manufacturing experience together in one dynamic built up system offer.” SIG Building Solutions Following more than a decade of operating collaboratively alongside each other, SIG’s team of cladding and sheeting manufacturers came together in Q4 of 2022 to provide a cohesive customer facing brand under the SIG Building Solutions banner. Providing complementary product ranges and servicing regional markets to create a national solution, these manufacturing businesses are prevalent in the agricultural and light industrial sectors and are well placed to combine their resources to present their service to a wider audience. “SIG Building Solutions provides a relationship-driven, solutions-focused, single point of contact which translates well across the industrial, commercial and agricultural build sectors. Our manufacturing businesses combine decades of roof and wall system expertise and manufacturing know-how which have been brought together and backed by the robust supply chain and extensive capabilities of SIG plc,” said Sam Jones. SIG Building Solutions manufactures secondary steelwork, insulated panels, single and twin skin roof and wall profiles, bespoke fabrications, rainwater goods and ancillary products. In addition, SIG Building Solutions has developed a range of solar car park canopy structures, and works alongside solar system providers to help organisations with large parking facilities generate solar energy and reduce their carbon footprint. www.sigbuildingsolutions.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
British Steel has confirmed its sections will be deployed in the £34 million revamp of Middlesbrough Station. Teams are currently working on the second part of the transport scheme, which will revitalise the station undercroft, create new walkways and spaces for businesses and boost capacity for more rail services. “We’re extremely proud our steel will be used in this exciting project. It is a huge vote of confidence in British Steel, our people and our products, which demonstrates the importance of a vibrant UK steel industry to this country. We look forward to working with the project partners and seeing this magnificent new building take shape with home-made steel,” said David Hogg, Plant Manager – Northern Mills. Story Contracting is carrying out work now with diggers busy on site and our sections are set to arrive at the station site next month after being fabricated on Teesside at Middlesbrough-based CB Construction (Cleveland) Ltd. “As we’re making great progress on the redevelopment of Middlesbrough Station, I am immensely proud to say that we’ve worked tirelessly over recent months to make sure that all structural steel used on the station redevelopment will come from British Steel,” added Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority have contributed £22.5 million to the Middlesbrough Station project, which is being delivered by Network Rail. Phase one of the station works were completed in December 2021 – with a 75-metre platform extension to accommodate the new LNER Azuma direct service to London, the town’s first service to the capital in more than 30 years. This second part of the scheme will see the current ticket hall stairs removed, a new staircase built off the central thoroughfare, open public space at the east end of the former car park and a new pedestrian walkway created between Zetland Road at the south of the station and the existing subway. The Combined Authority has worked closely with the rail industry, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Middlesbrough Council on the package of improvements – with a third platform to be created and efforts to make the station a modern and vibrant gateway to the town. The station project is set to be complete in 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EKFB, a Joint Venture responsible for delivering works on the HS2 high speed railway running from London to the North-West, has improved the sustainability credentials of the project by choosing to use green construction innovators, Dura Products. The project will involve the installation of Dura Product’s eco-friendly kerbing solution, Durakerb at the A43 overbridge in Brackley, Northamptonshire, which will ultimately reduce the overall environmental impact of HS2 and increase positive CO2e recovery. Made from 88% recycled polymers, each Durakerb unit is lightweight and recyclable, providing a safer, greener, faster and easier solution to kerbing that will save the overall HS2 project over 30,000kg of carbon per kilometre installed. Not only that, it aligns with the overall EKFB commitment to protect the environment and create a sustainable legacy. The 1.1km installation is part of a three-year road diversion while construction of the network continues. However, thanks to Dura Product’s ‘Hire, Reclaim and Reuse’ scheme, the units have potential for an extended life following the project demolition in 2025. The modular light structure prevents damage, allowing units to be reclaimed and re-installed as part of different projects, helping the construction industry innovatively tackle waste and enable a circular economy. Steve Bennett, Managing Director of Dura Products has commented “It has been inspiring to work alongside contractors who share the same passion for reducing environmental impacts in the construction industry as we do. Also, it is great to see companies take advantage of our ‘Hire, Reclaim and Reuse’ scheme which aims to tackle demolition waste during temporary projects, in addition to extending the life cycle of our Durakerb units. We are proud to produce and distribute products which cater to this evolving demand. “Durakerb continues to provide a safe, efficient and greener alternative to traditional kerbing methods. Since 2003 we have been dedicated to providing forward-thinking solutions which are kind to the environment, and it is exciting to see the construction industry finally taking notice of this important issue.” Since it was established in 2003, Dura Products has delivered 400,000 Durakerb units saving over 11 million kilograms of carbon. The sustainable construction innovators continue to show their dedication to manufacturing products designed to reduce carbon and climate impacts. Dura Products also offers lightweight green combined kerbing and drainage solutions, Duradrain and Durachannel, to provide a circular method for roadbuilding and managing surface run-off. EFKB, a collaboration of four leading construction and civil engineering companies, specialises in enabling railway construction projects from design to installation and maintenance. The company has been appointed to deliver an 80km section of the HS2 network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scientists and industry unite to decarbonise construction supply chain and tackle global climate emergency Cement 2 Zero (C2Z), a UK-based demonstrator project to trial the world’s first zero-emissions cement on an industrial scale, was officially launched this week having successfully conducted the first in a series of pilot-scale melts. The innovative project, which secured £6.5million of Government funding from UKRI as part of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, aims to further advance the construction, cement and steel sectors’ decarbonisation journey to net zero industries of the future, to help meet the UK Government’s commitment of achieving Net Zero by 2050. Led by the Materials Processing Institute, supported by the University of Cambridge (UoC), and in collaboration with key players in the supply chain, Cement 2 Zero is the first collaborative trial of its kind, to address the global construction industry’s biggest challenge of decarbonisation, in response to the climate emergency. Concrete is the most widely used material on earth, after water, and it is fundamental to our way of life, our economy and shaping our world. However, the chemical and thermal combustion processes involved in the production of cement are a significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – with more than four billion tonnes of cement produced each year, accounting for around seven per cent of global CO2 emissions, according to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). In the UK, concrete and cement account for 1.5 per cent of UK carbon dioxide emissions* The Cement 2 Zero project will investigate both the technical and commercial aspects of upscaling Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC) production to produce 20 tonnes of the world’s first zero emissions cement. The first phase of trial melts is being carried out by the Materials Processing Institute, initially in a 250kg induction furnace, before being scaled up to 6T in an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Once the process has been substantially trialled, developed and de-risked effectively, industrial scale melts will follow in CELSA’s EAF in Cardiff. The two-year industrial trial will test each stage of the production process and brings together the expertise of the Materials Processing Institute, the University of Cambridge and key supply chain partners – Atkins, Balfour Beatty, CELSA, Day Aggregates and Tarmac – before using the innovative product in a live UK construction project. If successful, it could not only further advance the cement, steel and construction industries, but influence how we recycle, construct and maintain our built environment and transport infrastructure, shaping the future of towns and cities, whilst simultaneously boosting economic development, and most importantly, reducing CO2 emissions to help tackle global warming. Chris McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of the Materials Processing Institute, said: “Cement 2 Zero has the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving a zero-carbon society, secure and increase jobs in the UK cement and steel sectors and challenge conventional production processes, creating high-value materials from demolition waste.” Dr Philippa Horton, University of Cambridge, who created the project consortium, said: “If Cambridge Electric Cement lives up to the promise it has shown in early laboratory trials, when combined with other innovative technologies, it could be a pivotal point in the journey to a zero-emissions society. The Cement 2 Zero project is an invaluable opportunity to collaborate across the entire construction supply chain, to expand CEC from the laboratory to its first commercial application.” This major break-through is a result of Dr Cyrille Dunant and his research team at the University of Cambridge. They invented a new process which brings together two critical industries and construction materials – cement and steel – by combining the production processes, transforming a by-product of steel recycling into a valuable material, in one zero emission process. Dr Dunant, said: “We take the built environment around us for granted, new homes, schools, hospitals, workplaces, roads and railways, as well as infrastructure that provides us with clean water, sanitation and energy all require cement which is an essential building material. It’s estimated that annual production equates to more than 500kg of concrete per person on the planet per year, and it is not currently possible to produce the material without creating CO2 emissions. “This breakthrough offers a positive move in cement production and will support the industry response to the UK’s legally binding commitment to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. “ The science behind this breakthrough Known as Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC), three researchers at the University of Cambridge, Dr Cyrille Dunant, Professor Julian Allwood and Dr Philippa Horton, invented a process that converts construction and demolition waste to cement over molten steel, using an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), which is used to recycle scrap steel. The Cement 2 Zero project aims to demonstrate that concrete can be recycled to create a Slag Forming addition which could, when cooled rapidly, replace Portland cement. Dr Dunant discovered that the chemical composition of used cement is virtually identical to that of the lime-flux used in the conventional EAF steel recycling process. Traditional Portland clinker, one of the main ingredients in cement, is produced by firing limestone and other minerals in a kiln at extremely high temperatures (1,450 degrees Celsius), a process which accounts for more than 50 per cent of the cement sectors’ emissions. By contrast, Cement 2 Zero will use recycled cement as the flux in the electric steel recycling process (EAF powered by renewables), the by-product of which, when cooled and ground, produces Portland cement clinker, which is then blended to make ‘zero-emissions’ cement. Therefore, this innovative cement product (CEC) could be made in a virtuous recycling loop, that not only eliminates the significant emissions of cement and steel production, but also saves raw materials, as illustrated in the infographic attached to this press release. Professor Julian Allwood, University of Cambridge and Cambridge Electric Cement, explained: “By combining steel and cement recycling in a single process powered by renewable electricity, we could supplement the global supply of the basic construction materials to support the infrastructure of a
