Sika, a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of building products, has been awarded the EWI Excellence Award at the INCA Awards (The Insulated Render and Cladding Association). Held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, the INCA Awards were hosted by comedian and broadcaster
Construction materials supplier Euroform confirms that its ‘Easyboard®’ exterior grade fibre cement board now has BDA Agrément certification. Easyboard®, which makes an ideal exterior sheathing board for steel frame system (SFS) walling, is one of the first boards of its kind to combine the benefits of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Leading builders merchant Haldane Fisher has been shortlisted as the Builders Merchant of the Year (6 – 20 Branches) at the prestigious Builders Merchants Awards. Recognising those that have shown commitment to innovation, delivering excellent customer service, and boosting the success of the company, the awards will celebrate the best
Low Carbon Materials (LCM), the science-led construction company, has announced it is one of the three international finalists in the world’s most prestigious environmental prize, The 2022 Earthshot Prize. The UK-based company is competing in the Fix Our Climate category, having been recognised by HRH Prince William as an accomplished
Daylight systems manufacturer, Brett Martin will offer insight into sustainable rooflight features, material choice and optimising design with the launch of its latest CPD entitled Industrial Rooflights – How to Reduce Expense & Risk. Aimed at helping to educate main contractors, architects, building owners and developers, this new CPD explores the
Aggregate Industries inspires customers to make an ECOPact with special event : 40+ senior construction stakeholders come together to learn how the latest in green concrete innovation can contribute to net zero goals As part of its ongoing commitment to leading the construction industry’s pathway to a more sustainable future,
Since the launch of net zero EnviroHoard™ in 2021, Panthera Group contracts for the sustainable site protection hoarding system now exceed 53% of all hoarding sales in the business; a figure that far outperforms predicted forecasts. This is no doubt assisted by the wider construction sector’s drive for net zero.
New concrete tile manufacturing facility unlocks significant, additional capacity enabling organic growth, whilst reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions Investment in electric kilns at an existing facility, reduces reliance on natural gas. Wienerberger is pleased to announce a significant investment in the construction of a brand-new concrete roof tile manufacturing
The UK company behind a pioneering new building material is another step closer to mainstream production, as it gears up for growth following international notoriety and investment. Environmental innovator, Sphera, now Low Carbon Materials (LCM), is one of many companies shaping the ‘green construction’ sector as its science-based, lower carbon,
Sphera, an established environmental innovator shaping the green construction industry, has announced it is rebranding as Low Carbon Materials (LCM), to build on its huge success. Known for its pioneering new building material, the UK company is using its international notoriety and investment to get a step closer to mainstream
Sika, a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of building products, has been awarded the EWI Excellence Award at the INCA Awards (The Insulated Render and Cladding Association). Held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, the INCA Awards were hosted by comedian and broadcaster Paul Sinha and recognised outstanding workmanship and innovation shown by its members in external wall insulation. Sika stood out against a wide range of exceptional projects for its work with Swansea Borough Council in upgrading the energy efficiency of its housing stock. The win in this category comes at a time when so many households are facing fuel poverty due to rising energy costs. The improvements to council houses across Swansea, has seen Swansea Council work with Sika in improving the external fabric and increasing insulation as part of efforts to reduce residents’ energy bills. “This was a fantastic night for Sika and Swansea Council. We were delighted to have won this award, which is testament to all the hard work of our team and the high standards we deliver across the external wall insulation industry,” said Darren Bunting, UK Distribution, Business Unit Manager at Sika. Winning this prestigious award has further enhanced Sika’s reputation for manufacture and supply of market leading external wall insulation systems that set the highest standards. “We are delighted with the accolade which is a credit to our hard work across this project. It also recognises the unique relationship between Swansea Council and Sika in creating jobs, reducing emissions, reducing fuel poverty and creating more comfortable homes,” added Matt Allen, Head of Sales for Building Finishing at Sika. Sika Limited and Sika Ireland Limited are part of the global Sika Group, specialising in the manufacture and supply of chemical based products. Sika has a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and the motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 100 countries around the world and manufactures in over 300 factories. With more than 25,000 employees Sika generates annual sales of CHF 7.9 billion (£6.14 bn). Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction materials supplier Euroform confirms that its ‘Easyboard®’ exterior grade fibre cement board now has BDA Agrément certification. Easyboard®, which makes an ideal exterior sheathing board for steel frame system (SFS) walling, is one of the first boards of its kind to combine the benefits of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) into a light weight ‘score & snap’ building board, making it quick and easy to install. The BDA Agrément certification confirms Easyboard® performance as a building board for non-structural use in indoor and outdoor non-loadbearing applications, such as for use in the planking and lining of walls, for sheathing timber frame or steel frame supporting walls, and for ceilings and roof truss structures. “Easyboard® is a highly durable OPC based board that has the same workability as a gypsum-based board,” says Euroform’s technical director John Taylor. Whereas traditional cement-based boards require cutting with power tools, creating dust and taking time, Easyboard® is manufactured with a process that combines the cement with a reinforcing matrix that enhances its workability, so that it can be scored and snapped with a traditional utility knife. The edges do not require sealing as would be the case with an external plasterboard installation. Currently being installed as part of a SFS wall at a large commercial/residential project at The Castings, Manchester, subcontractor AM Structure’s dry liner reports, “I couldn’t believe how easy the board was to score and snap, especially for an OPC board. It is such a time saver and better for dust. We should like to use the board on future SFS sheathing installations.” Easyboard®’s BDA Agrément certificate confirms the product’s fire performance as being A1 non-combustible in accordance with BS EN 13501-1. Euroform points out that, in all cases Euroform should be consulted to discuss specifier/project requirements to advise on the suitability of Easyboard® in respect of fire resistance. Other product characteristics independently assessed through the BDA Agrément process include moisture control, strength and durability. Details of water impermeability, water absorption, load resistance, impact resistance and thermal performance are all available. Easyboard® is quicker to install than traditional cement based boards due to its lower density of 900kg/m3 (minimum). A video demonstrating the ease with which Easyboard® can be cut via the ‘score & snap’ method can be seen at: https://www.euroform.co.uk/easyboard/ Euroform has been developing, fabricating and supplying materials for the construction industry since 1995. Euroform specialises in ensuring fire and thermal compliance across its product range. Each product is supported by an experienced and knowledgeable technical team to provide advice and guidance. Based at Warrington, Euroform is part of Performance Technology Group an SIG Trading Ltd group of companies specialising in supporting the construction industry to meet acoustic, fire, thermal and vibration challenges. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading builders merchant Haldane Fisher has been shortlisted as the Builders Merchant of the Year (6 – 20 Branches) at the prestigious Builders Merchants Awards. Recognising those that have shown commitment to innovation, delivering excellent customer service, and boosting the success of the company, the awards will celebrate the best of the best at a ceremony in Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, in November. David Haldane, Managing Director of Haldane Fisher, said: “As one of only three builders merchants to be shortlisted, we are thrilled to have been recognised for our dedication to going to above and beyond to place the customer at the heart of everything we do. “We pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service and encourage our team to take part in regular training, helping us to provide trusted advice for both trade and general public undergoing any type of construction project.” Haldane Fisher, which has 20 branches across Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland, offers customers over 13,000 products across 800 brands. David continued: “In addition to striving for excellence across the business, we continually invest in innovation and growth to ensure we embody best practice and remain at the forefront of the industry. “Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to our team who are committed to working together to facilitate the continued development of not only the business, but the sector as a whole.” Also shortlisted for the Branch of the Year is TG Builders Merchants and EH Smith Builders Merchants. For more information, visit haldane-fisher.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Low Carbon Materials (LCM), the science-led construction company, has announced it is one of the three international finalists in the world’s most prestigious environmental prize, The 2022 Earthshot Prize. The UK-based company is competing in the Fix Our Climate category, having been recognised by HRH Prince William as an accomplished group of entrepreneurs and innovators spearheading ground-breaking solutions to the biggest environmental challenges our planet faces. LCM was founded to shape the green construction sector with its science-based, lower carbon, new-age building material OSTO. OSTO is a carbon-negative lightweight aggregate for concrete produced out of waste and by-products. It is a game-changer for the construction industry, which works by making traditional carbon-intensive blocks carbon-zero, thereby reducing their environmental impact. “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated and now to be through to the final stages in this competition. It is such an honour to be included alongside such pioneering organisations and individuals who are engaged in truly astounding environmental initiatives,” said CEO and Co-Founder Dr Natasha Boulding. “To have our low-carbon, waste-based building material recognised as a formidable solution that can be scaled to reverse environmental damage and to better protect the environment is truly game-changing. This is real independent verification from the highest authority that our product has the potential to help fix our planet,” she added. Finalists for the Earthshot Prize are eligible for the £1 million prize, as well as receiving tailored support and resources from The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance Members, an unprecedented network of private sector businesses around the world committed to helping scale innovative climate and environmental solutions and multiplying their impact. The five Winners will be selected by The Earthshot Prize Council, a diverse team of influential individuals committed to using their platforms to champion inspiring leadership and elevate urgent efforts to repair and regenerate the planet. The Earthshot Prize Council Members include: HRH Prince William, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Alves Da Silva, Sir David Attenborough, Ernest Gibson, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Jack Ma, Shakira Mebarak, Yao Ming, Luisa Neubauer, Indra Nooyi, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Naoko Yamazaki. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Daylight systems manufacturer, Brett Martin will offer insight into sustainable rooflight features, material choice and optimising design with the launch of its latest CPD entitled Industrial Rooflights – How to Reduce Expense & Risk. Aimed at helping to educate main contractors, architects, building owners and developers, this new CPD explores the factors that influence cost and risk when using industrial rooflights on logistics buildings, factories and other warehousing. It is the second in a series of CPD seminars relevant to the specification of rooflights and demonstrates the crucial role of natural light in ensuring buildings meet the stringent efficiency targets for today’s built environment. Presented by Brett Martin’s dedicated specification managers, this new 45-minute seminar includes discussions and Q & A. Topics covered include: This seminar is a follow-up to Brett Martin’s Industrial Rooflights & A Low Carbon Future CPD which examines the key performance criteria in terms of regulations and carbon reduction targets. Commenting, William McDowell – Business Development Manager at Brett Martin Daylight Systems said: “As a leading manufacturer of rooflight products, we are well placed to help educate architects and specifiers about the benefits of industrial rooflights. Our new CPD presentation will help these construction professionals gain an even better understanding of the factors that influence expense and risk when using industrial rooflights.” To register your interest in attending a Brett Martin CPD seminar, please click here For more information on Brett Martin, please visit www.brettmartin.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries inspires customers to make an ECOPact with special event : 40+ senior construction stakeholders come together to learn how the latest in green concrete innovation can contribute to net zero goals As part of its ongoing commitment to leading the construction industry’s pathway to a more sustainable future, this month saw Aggregate Industries’ London Concrete team hold an exclusive customer day to showcase its revolutionary green concrete range, ECOPact. Taking place on 12th October at London Concrete’s Battersea plant, the one-off event saw over 40 customers, including construction directors, project managers, quality managers and sustainability stakeholders, come together to learn more about ECOPact and its potential in contributing to sustainability strategy. During the course of the day, attendees received exclusive presentations from senior leaders within the Aggregate Industries business covering its ambitious sustainability strategy and commitment to driving green building innovation, along with dedicated focus on the carbon benefits of switching to a greener concrete. Alongside this, visitors also got a chance to tour London Concrete’s vast manufacturing plant and see first-hand how ECOPact performs in a series of live demonstrations. Colleagues from parent group, Holcim’s Research and Development lab in Lyon also attended and shared the latest key digital tools and innovation in sustainable construction. Following the event’s marked success, Aggregates Industries is planning to roll out similar events in other parts of the country in the coming months, starting with Manchester. “We are delighted that our first ECOPact customer event was such a success, with over 40 major stakeholders from throughout the London region coming along to find out more about ECOPact and the huge impact it can make in delivering on sustainable construction,” said Veronika Elfmarkova, ECOPact Product Manager. “Feedback across the board was fantastic, with many attendees stating it had inspired them as to how the specification choices they make today can support construction’s response to the climate crisis.” Sarah James, Marketing Manager for Readymix Concrete at Aggregate Industries adds: “Amid growing urgency around the climate crisis, construction continues to come under new pressure to advance environmental priorities and build greener. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean key decisionmakers will have a full grasp of the latest green building solutions available and, more importantly, how they benefit their business. “With this in mind, our ECOPact event was purposely designed to provide a tangible demonstration of our sustainable ECOPact concrete range in practice and provide an open forum for any questions or enquiries our customers may have. It was a great day had by all and we are now looking to roll it out further afield in the coming months.” Aggregate Industries’ innovative ECOPact offers a range of green concrete solutions that meets the evolving needs of its customers and clients without compromising on quality. It gives customers a range of options to reduce the CO2 emissions of their concrete supply by between 30% and 70% compared to standard (CEM I) concrete. For further information please visit ECOPact please visit https://www.aggregate.com/ecopact or email ecopact-aiuk@aggregate.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Since the launch of net zero EnviroHoard™ in 2021, Panthera Group contracts for the sustainable site protection hoarding system now exceed 53% of all hoarding sales in the business; a figure that far outperforms predicted forecasts. This is no doubt assisted by the wider construction sector’s drive for net zero. As a result, the in-house production of patent-pending EnviroBlok™ has increased by over a third and Panthera Group has not only recruited additional production staff, but has had to procure additional steel moulds to meet demand. The unique, low carbon block integrates 50% GGBS providing a saving in CO2 of 194 kg / m³ compared to CEMI concrete. It is produced to Panthera’s specification by Hanson Concrete and poured into unique moulds designed by Neal James, Managing Director of Panthera. The blocks are one element of the vertical integration strategy pioneered by Neal who wanted to take control of as many areas of production as possible to ensure quality and stock levels. Despite global economic challenges, the company’s order book for its EnviroHoard™ system is surpassing all expectations. “A combination of new projects and the switch from timber hoarding to EnviroHoard™ has driven demand of the systems low carbon 800kg support block. This is now a full-time operation at Panthera Group and so we are delighted to welcome, Kieran and Harry, who have joined the company to supports its manufacturing of EnviroBlok. With unique fixings inherent in the design, this is a skilled role and one that assures a quality product. I am delighted our focus on sustainable hoarding is having a real impact across the construction industry.”
New concrete tile manufacturing facility unlocks significant, additional capacity enabling organic growth, whilst reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions Investment in electric kilns at an existing facility, reduces reliance on natural gas. Wienerberger is pleased to announce a significant investment in the construction of a brand-new concrete roof tile manufacturing facility in Kent, South East England along with the significant energy transformation of its Broomfleet factory near Hull in the North East. These exciting new plans, designed to deliver organic growth from an increasingly efficient cost base, will bring a welcomed increase in production capacity, whilst also pressing ahead with decarbonisation plans as part of its ambitious Sustainability Roadmap. The new, state-of-the-art concrete roof tile production facility will be sited next to its Smeed Dean brick factory, reinforcing Wienerberger’s commitment to UK operations and the South East in particular, where brick manufacture at Smeed Dean dates back to 1875. The business will simultaneously complete the ambitious renovation of two of its Broomfleet factory lines, making it Europe’s first-ever clay roof-tile plant to completely eliminate the use of natural gas and the associated CO2 emissions from the drying and firing process, thus reducing the carbon emissions of these lines by an impressive 75%. This announcement is representative of the company’s confidence in the market and is testament to its commitment to decarbonisation via innovation of products, services, and new methods of production. In 2021, Wienerberger UK & Ireland set out its Sustainability Roadmap ‘Let’s Build Beyond’, which outlined the vital actions the business would take to create enduring value for its stakeholders as it transitioned to a net-zero emission, nature-positive business. Keith Barker, Chief Operating Officer, Wienerberger UK & Ireland commented, “We are aware of and want to tackle the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity head-on by making sustainability the main driver of our company growth strategy. This investment demonstrates our commitment to expansion in the UK and Ireland market and, is fully aligned with our ambitions for the sustainable growth which will secure the future of our business.” The new concrete tile-making facility will significantly increase the company’s production capacity enabling it to better serve the needs of its customers, with new and existing tile formats, providing additional capacity with lower CO2 emissions per square metre of installed roof. The significant, transformational investment at its Broomfleet clay roof tile manufacturing site near Hull is driven by the desire to reduce resource consumption and CO2 output. Wienerberger has chosen the UK for the first commercial-scale implementation of electric kilns using 100% renewable energy within the clay roof-tile manufacturing sector. This is a key step towards realising its ambitious carbon reduction commitment and demonstrates consistent implementation of the Group’s ESG strategy. Simon Nevitt, Operations Director and Board member at Wienerberger UK & Ireland commented “We recognise the importance of rapidly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and we are achieving this through both product innovation, and manufacturing methods. This particular investment in two of our existing Broomfleet production lines eliminates our use of fossil fuels from the firing and drying processes, reducing the. carbon emissions (Scope 1 tCO2e) from this production line by 75%.” The phased transition process is due to begin later this year. Going forward, customers will benefit from a range of products with reduced embodied carbon content, supporting the construction industry’s transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
The UK company behind a pioneering new building material is another step closer to mainstream production, as it gears up for growth following international notoriety and investment. Environmental innovator, Sphera, now Low Carbon Materials (LCM), is one of many companies shaping the ‘green construction’ sector as its science-based, lower carbon, new-age building material proves real promise as a solution for the construction industry in achieving net zero emissions. The company’s flagship product, OSTOⓇ, has been technically engineered to utilise waste and by-products in its manufacture which would otherwise be destined for incineration or landfill – further reducing carbon emissions – and creating a ‘win-win’ solution for both industry and the environment twice over. Such is the radical innovative nature of the company’s approach and solution, in just a few years since its inception, it has already achieved global recognition, business acceleration support, and a string of awards, including, not least, an Earthshot Prize nomination, placing it among the 1,000 most impactful and inspiring solutions for environmental issues globally. Dr Natasha Boulding, CEO, and Co-founder of Low Carbon Materials, a purpose-led company, said: “We’re thrilled to be taking the company forward into its next phase of development, multiplying the amount of waste diverted from incineration, and helping construction companies achieve net zero – all whilst helping our planet. There is nothing more important or rewarding than that for us. “The targets set out by the UK government to achieve net zero can only be achieved with the right solutions and a new way of thinking and working. We’re scientists working with a wide range of industry specialists to realise our product plans, which once on the market, could radically redefine how we build, and significantly reduce environmental damage, particularly as concrete accounts for 8% of carbon emissions*. Globally, and working collaboratively, we have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2e with this approach. “LCM has enjoyed a phenomenal year, but this is only the beginning and we’ve much more on the horizon to announce”. The re-brand marks the next stage in the company’s development, with its products currently being trialled in the market, while next-stage growth plans are underway to develop and scale carbon-negative materials for the wider built environment. As part of its expansion plans, LCM is quadrupling the size of its HQ, with a move to Jade Business Park, County Durham. The site will include a state-of-the-art R&D facility and production centre to support the scaling and development of new products. LCM has also tripled its workforce in less than a year with plans to expand it further into 2023 and beyond. For more information, visit https://www.lowcarbonmaterials.com *’Making Concrete Change: Innovation in Low-carbon Cement and Concrete’ Chatham House Report, 2018.
Sphera, an established environmental innovator shaping the green construction industry, has announced it is rebranding as Low Carbon Materials (LCM), to build on its huge success. Known for its pioneering new building material, the UK company is using its international notoriety and investment to get a step closer to mainstream production. Its science-based, lower carbon, new-age building material proves real promise as a solution for the construction industry in achieving net zero emissions. The company’s flagship product, OSTO, has been technically engineered to utilise waste and by-products in its manufacture which would otherwise be destined for incineration or landfill, further reducing carbon emissions, and creating a ‘win-win’ solution for both industry and the environment twice over. “We’re thrilled to be taking the company forward into its next phase of development, multiplying the amount of waste diverted from incineration, and helping construction companies achieve net zero, all whilst helping our planet. There is nothing more important or rewarding than that for us,” said Dr Natasha Boulding, CEO, and Co-founder of Low Carbon Materials (LCM). “The targets set out by the UK government to achieve net zero can only be achieved with the right solutions and a new way of thinking and working. We’re scientists working with a wide range of industry specialists to realise our product plans, which once on the market, could radically redefine how we build, and significantly reduce environmental damage, particularly as concrete accounts for 8% of carbon emissions. Globally, and working collaboratively, we have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2e with this approach. LCM has enjoyed a phenomenal year, but this is only the beginning and we’ve much more on the horizon to announce.” In just a few years since its inception, Sphera, now LCM, has achieved global recognition, business acceleration support, and a string of awards, including an Earthshot Prize nomination, placing it among the 1,000 most impactful and inspiring solutions for environmental issues globally. The rebranding represents the next stage in the company’s development, with its products currently being trialled in the market. Following that, other growth plans are already underway to develop and scale carbon-negative materials for the wider built environment. As part of its expansion plans, LCM is quadrupling the size of its HQ, with a move to Jade Business Park, County Durham. The site will include a state-of-the-art R&D facility and production centre to support the scaling and development of new products. LCM has also tripled its workforce in less than a year with plans to expand it further into 2023 and beyond. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
