Soprema UK, the specialist in waterproofing and building envelope solutions, is to begin manufacturing its Pavadry woodfibre insulation in the UK, with an improved product specification. A high performance, internal wall insulation that controls dispersion of water from the walls into the building to prevent condensation and the risk of
Global building materials supplier CEMEX is proud to present the latest additions to its admixtures range: the ISOFINES 5000 Series, offering safe and easy materials drying solutions. The ISOFINES 5000 Series is capable of absorbing high amounts of the water that could accompany any type of mud, spoil or sludge.
Staffordshire-based balustrade specialists SMART Balustrades is reflecting on a successful year as it records its highest output levels to date and sets sights on further growth in 2021. Family business SMART Balustrades specialises in the fitting and manufacturing of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, Juliet and platform balconies, and handrails
“Off the pallet, straight onto the wall” ethos saves time, cost and improves quality, says Vivalda survey Research undertaken by Vivalda Group, the UK’s largest supplier of non-combustible cladding, suggests that sub-contractors could reduce their fabrication costs by up to 50% by outsourcing the process. Vivalda contacted 15 specialist cladding
Södra, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of sustainable timber, has diversified its range of flame retardant treated timber products available to the UK market, with its C260 and C260 Xterior. For centuries, timber has been used in countless construction products, both indoors and outdoors, but today’s rigorous fire
Norbord now holds a net carbon negative status across all its products and operations, locking up more CO2 than it emits. Leading the way in tackling the issue of climate change, the company’s four European sites and three product ranges sequester a total of 1.1 million tonnes of carbon annually.
Södra, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of sustainable timber, has launched a landmark immersive experience that transports viewers to its world-leading Swedish forestry operation. Using the latest 360ᴼ video technology, Södra’s video takes users to the forest – just a small section in its network totalling over two million
As a Toronto homeowner, you have a lot of responsibilities. One of them is your sewer line. Your sewage system is made up of a lot of pipes buried underground…where you can’t see them. When this network of pipes is working well, it’s easy to take your sewage system for
The high performance, reliable and easy-to-install Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System from Brett Martin has been specified for a new housing development in Tutshill, Gloucestershire, the village where JK Rowling spent her childhood and which inspired many Harry Potter books. Located in the stunning Forest of Dean, on the
Aquaspira Ltd, has secured a six figure grant from Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation) to explore ways to help the construction sector achieve Government de-carbonisation targets. The announcement comes as part of the UK Government’s unveiling of a multi-million pound investment to support businesses across the country
Soprema UK, the specialist in waterproofing and building envelope solutions, is to begin manufacturing its Pavadry woodfibre insulation in the UK, with an improved product specification. A high performance, internal wall insulation that controls dispersion of water from the walls into the building to prevent condensation and the risk of mould, Pavadry is the solution of choice for solid wall buildings, and is particularly popular as a retrofit solution for heritage properties. The revised product will be manufactured with an OSB-facing, rather than the MDF previously used, making it easier and faster to install. Roland Jackson, commercial director at Soprema UK explains: “Pavadry enables the thermal performance of solid wall and heritage properties to be improved without changing their external appearance or unbalancing their building physics. The improved product will continue to deliver those benefits but the OSB facing will allow screw fixings to be attached directly to the board, rather than requiring a counter sink to accommodate a screw head. Over the course of an installation, this will save considerable time and aid consistency.” The move of production from Switzerland to Manchester enables changes to the manufacturing process and ensures reliable lead times and supply for UK specifiers and contractors, at a time when demand for renewable and sustainable solutions is high. Roland continues: “With the Green Deal now extended for another year until March 2022, homeowners and landlords have a great opportunity to improve the comfort of their property and reduce its carbon footprint. Meanwhile, the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) remains open for grant applications to fund energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures in publicly-owned property assets until the end of January 2021. The £4 billion levelling-up fund also includes investment in housing and local arts and culture, with bidding for projects beginning in 2021. “With so many incentives available to invest in carbon reduction improvements, there is high demand for Pavadry because it is made from natural, renewable materials, is completely recyclable and has such a positive effect on thermal performance and building comfort. Bringing production to the UK and making the product easier to install are the right choices at the right time.”
Global building materials supplier CEMEX is proud to present the latest additions to its admixtures range: the ISOFINES 5000 Series, offering safe and easy materials drying solutions. The ISOFINES 5000 Series is capable of absorbing high amounts of the water that could accompany any type of mud, spoil or sludge. The ISOFINES 5000 Series can be used on tunnelling spoil plastic concrete waste, moulded and diaphragm walls, jet grouting and concrete excessive finishings, as well as in the sedimentation pool in quarries. Through the removal of water, this admixture technology allows for the treated material to be transported and disposed of safely. Additionally, these solutions can also reduce a project’s carbon footprint; they provide an alternative solution to quicklime, and are more cost-effective when compared to a pure cement solution due to the lower dosages required. A broad range of formulations are available, including a cement-free option. The ISOFINES 5000 Series also has the added feature of quickly recycling liquified and difficult to handle mud – a solid material is obtained facilitating landfilling, and thereby reducing pollution. It can be delivered in bulk recycled plastic bags or silos which means there is no waste material on jobsites and a great volume is transported. Virginia Flek, National Technical Sales Executive for CEMEX Admixtures, commented: “The ISOFINES 5000 Series is an excellent addition to our high-quality admixtures range; presenting safe and easy drying solutions which also offer considerable sustainability benefits. “This series is already available in France and has been used on extensions to the Metro lines in Paris with great success. We are excited to launch it in the UK and make it available to our many customers who work on projects which create spoil with high amounts of water.” The ISOFINES 5000 Series is part of CEMEX’s admixtures portfolio of construction chemicals, which offers quality, efficient and reliable solutions, which includes grinding agents, plasticisers, superplasticisers, accelerators, retarders, air entraining, water-repellent, water retaining agents, stabilisers amongst others.
Staffordshire-based balustrade specialists SMART Balustrades is reflecting on a successful year as it records its highest output levels to date and sets sights on further growth in 2021. Family business SMART Balustrades specialises in the fitting and manufacturing of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, Juliet and platform balconies, and handrails for the commercial and residential sectors. Recently named as the third fastest growing balustrades company in the UK by Plimsoll, the company reported record months in July, August and November this year, with turnover up 20% from 2019. After making a number of key hires earlier this year, the firm is now nine strong, with further plans to expand its team in the new year, as it continues to invest in the manufacturing side of the business. All of SMART Balustrades’ fabrication and assembly is done in-house at its Burntwood production facility and it has recently made a significant investment of £30,000 in a specialist tube drilling machine, which will accelerate production by up to five times. Despite the challenges of 2020, the business has remained strong; working in buoyant markets such as residential and education. Notable residential projects delivered by the firm this year include a balustrade scheme in Lewes, a platform balcony scheme in Luton and a roof terrace balustrades scheme in Bournemouth. The company is also working on a substantial project for national hotel brand Fairmont on its new Fairmont Windsor Park hotel, next to Windsor Great Park. Works include the installation of stainless steel and structural glass balustrades for the hotel’s stairways, terraces and spa areas. David Hough, managing director and co-founder of SMART Balustrades, said: “We couldn’t be happier ending this year with record results for our business. “Despite the pandemic, we’ve continued to adapt to the market, offering new products and services such as platform balconies as the demand for outdoor space increases. “Like most construction-based companies, installation slowed down due to uncertainty onsite, but once social distancing guidelines had been clarified and necessary safety measures were put in place we were back to normal levels of output. “It’s been a different year for everyone to say the least, but we look forward to continuing to learn and grow in 2021 and beyond.” Jonathan Hough, contracts director and co-founder, added: “Being up 20% with our year-on-year growth is an incredible achievement, especially in the current climate and we have ambitious growth plans for 2021 – with a target of 35% further growth. “Manufacturing remains a key part of our business, and next year we will continue to invest in our equipment and our team to increase efficiency and productivity. The tube drilling machine is a worthwhile investment and throughout 2020 we have invested in systems, accreditations and staff, to put ourselves ahead of the rest. “Thank you to our brilliant team who have been resilient throughout the year, and our clients who have continued to support us.” SMART Balustrades is part of the Unitech Group, and it designs and manufactures its products at Unitech Group’s 75,000 sq. ft. production facility in Burntwood, Staffordshire.
“Off the pallet, straight onto the wall” ethos saves time, cost and improves quality, says Vivalda survey Research undertaken by Vivalda Group, the UK’s largest supplier of non-combustible cladding, suggests that sub-contractors could reduce their fabrication costs by up to 50% by outsourcing the process. Vivalda contacted 15 specialist cladding contractors across the UK and asked them to provide their hourly rates for three specific processes; standard board drilling, specialist drilling, and fixing of brackets to boards. The differences between quoted sub-contractor rates and those charged by Vivalda were surprising. Here are the key findings: Standard drill holes for rivet and screw fix. Assuming 12 holes per m2, average sub-contractor labour rates quoted were up to 50% higher than those charged by Vivalda. Specialist ‘secret fix’ drill holes. The price difference between specialist off-site fabrication and on-site labour rates quoted was equally remarkable. Overall, prices quoted for this more complex procedure were approximately 20% higher compared to the cost of standard drilling. Sub-contractor labour rates for this work came out at approximately 40% more expensive when compared to prices quoted by off-site, high precision material engineers such as Vivalda. Fixing brackets / secret fixings to board. This too came out at around 35-40% higher compared to rates typically charged by third party suppliers. Commenting on the findings, Chris Meyerhoff, branch manager at Vivalda’s Hull branch said: “We are seeing a major trend towards off-site fabrication, with contractors increasingly turning to us to cut boards to size, drill holes and even fix brackets so that facades can be installed as soon as they arrive on site. Despite the proven cost savings and quality guarantees offered by outsourcing, we wanted to understand why a hardcore of contractors continue to do this job in-house. After all, it’s a notoriously time-consuming job that a lot of subbies don’t like doing on-site. That’s why we undertook this research into the relative costs quoted for this activity. “Given the very clear savings contractors could make by outsourcing elements of their cladding fabrication process, we have to ask why aren’t all sub-contractors using third party specialists to prepare boards ready for on-site installation? Is it about control and quality? With damaged and poorly cut boards as the likely outcome, I cannot imagine this is good reason. Also, our use of CNC technology ensures boards are cut to within the tightest tolerances, with brackets fixed using the right tools in well lit, warm surroundings as opposed to rainswept, building sites with restricted space and strict on-site working regulations. “Perhaps some sub-contractors don’t consider the cost of fixings as being that significant? Well, for a project comprising 5,000m2 of cladding, our investigation suggests that this could cost anywhere from £300,000 to £600,000 in fixing labour costs – depending on the location and complexity of the project. That’s not chicken feed in anyone’s book. I’d urge any contractors out there to reconsider this part of their supply chain as it could improve quality, reduce accidents and boost profits in one fell swoop.” Based on its recent survey, Vivalda Group’s UK-wide fabrication facilities could save sub-contractors between 35 and 50% on labour costs, while significantly improving the accuracy and quality of the cladding systems prior to installation.
Södra, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of sustainable timber, has diversified its range of flame retardant treated timber products available to the UK market, with its C260 and C260 Xterior. For centuries, timber has been used in countless construction products, both indoors and outdoors, but today’s rigorous fire protection requirements run the risk of limiting creative expression. This is the view of Lars Broström, Sales Manager for Special Products at Södra, who believes that Södra’s new C260 and C260 Xterior products offer a much-needed solution to this problem. Lars further comments: “Whether you’re an architect, developer or contractor, Södra’s C260 and C260 Xterior timber makes meeting fire safety regulations straightforward.” Södra’s C260 and C260 Xterior are treated in Sweden by Woodsafe, one of Scandinavia’s leading companies in flame retardant treated timber products. The name C260 is a reference to the ignition temperature of wood. Both products are CE-certified in accordance with EN 14915: 2013 and Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305: 2011. When using C260 Xterior, there are no requirements for surface treatments, creating optimal conditions for timber’s natural ageing process. “For C260, the flame retardant treatment chemical is applied using a high-pressure vacuum process,” explains Lars. “When this fluid is exposed to fire it releases carbon dioxide, which suffocates flames much like a fire extinguisher. This is what makes C260 the best choice for both safety and aesthetics. What’s more, C260 Xterior also requires very little maintenance.” C260 Xterior provides the same level of flame retardant protection as C260, but the timber is given an additional weatherproofing according to EN16755, making it ideal for outdoor use without any further treatments. The flame retardant treatment fluid is embedded into timber fibres at a cellular level, so it can’t be washed away by rain or harsh weather conditions. “The C260 Xterior flame retardant treatment can be applied to a wide range of different timber types without the need to apply topcoat,” continues Lars. “Now you can use timbers such as cedar, larch or heat-treated pine to build flame retardant protected structures while preserving the natural grain of the timber.” Both C260 and C260 Xterior can be used for a wide range of applications; a benefit Lars describes as offering “freedom to be creative with your building projects.” Applications include: Cladding for walls and ceilings Sound-absorbing cladding Arenas and sports facilities Lecture halls and auditoriums Music venues and concert halls It can also be applied to a number of attractive timber types, such as Western Red Cedar, heat-treated timber and larch. Södra’s flame retardant treated timber panels can be painted in any solid colour, remaining compliant with fire regulations for: façade cladding, decorative elements, roofs and walls, balconies, and construction work, as long as it meets reaction to fire properties. For UK customers interested in our flame retardant timber products treated with C260 and C260 Xterior, visit https://www.sodra.com/en-gb/gb/building-systems/components/facades/ or contact Lars Broström, lars.brostrom@sodra.com, +46(0)7258 18228 or Elin Bäckfalk, elin.backfalk@sodra.com, +46(0)7258 34644. Our production and sales managers are based in Sweden.
Norbord now holds a net carbon negative status across all its products and operations, locking up more CO2 than it emits. Leading the way in tackling the issue of climate change, the company’s four European sites and three product ranges sequester a total of 1.1 million tonnes of carbon annually. While carbon neutrality means that an activity releases net zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere, carbon negativity signifies that an activity goes beyond achieving net zero carbon emissions. This creates an environmental benefit by not releasing carbon dioxide that would ordinarily be released into the atmosphere. As timber is the main component of Norbord’s products, carbon is sequestered and locked up for the life of the board. The confirmation of Norbord’s carbon negative status comes after more than a year of analysis and independent verification, although it’s evident that many Norbord products have been carbon negative for significantly longer. All Norbord products have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These independently verified and registered documents communicate transparent and comparable information about the product’s life cycle environmental impact. The life cycle analysis accounts for all stages from forest to merchant, including harvesting, production, sales and logistics. Steve Roebuck, Director, EHS, Norbord Europe believes “carbon dioxide emissions are one of the most significant drivers of climate change and there is an urgent need for products and businesses to achieve carbon neutrality in order to meet the UK’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2050. Norbord’s carbon negative status means we’ve not only already achieved this goal but have gone significantly further, clearly demonstrating our determination to be a market leader in sustainable, climate-friendly products”. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk/carbon-negative/
Södra, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of sustainable timber, has launched a landmark immersive experience that transports viewers to its world-leading Swedish forestry operation. Using the latest 360ᴼ video technology, Södra’s video takes users to the forest – just a small section in its network totalling over two million acres – and the ‘Södra neighbourhood’. The virtual reality neighbourhood offers a glimpse of how wood-based products can facilitate a more sustainable way of life. In the forest, users can meet a forest inspector and a family of forest-owners. Södra is run by more than 42,000 forest owners in southern Sweden – many of whom have inherited forests passed on through several generations. As well as narration at each stage, users are able to click, drag and control their own perspective for a truly immersive experience. As they look around, knowledge bubbles appear, allowing users to view information, videos and fun facts relevant to what they’re seeing. For those in the UK’s timber and merchants’ industries this video offers a unique chance to discover the potential of wood-based products and experience Södra’s Swedish operation as close to first-hand as possible, without getting on a plane. Södra Sales Director, Nigel Buckley-Ryan, explains the motivation behind the experience: “We wanted to bring to life wood’s almost endless number of uses. Of course, we’re confident that high-quality, sustainable timber will continue to transform the UK construction industry in the coming years. But some of the perhaps less-obvious by-products of wood as a raw material are fascinating – from biomethanol and tall oil, both renewable fuels, to lyocell and viscose for textiles for clothing, bed linen and soft furnishings (to name just a few).” Nigel continues: “We’re incredibly proud of our Swedish operation and passionate about how sustainably-managed forests can facilitate a truly sustainable future. This video allows us to share this passion with our UK audience – some of whom may not have been aware of the possibilities wood can offer or ever had the opportunity to see what a world-leading forestry operation looks like. People can now experience that from the comfort of their own homes.” Södra’s immersive 360ᴼ experience is available to view at www.sodraexperience.com For more information, visit www.sodra.com/en-gb/gb/
As a Toronto homeowner, you have a lot of responsibilities. One of them is your sewer line. Your sewage system is made up of a lot of pipes buried underground…where you can’t see them. When this network of pipes is working well, it’s easy to take your sewage system for granted. You won’t be taking things for granted, however, if you experience common sewer problems like drains running agonizingly slow or toilets gurgling after they’re flushed. Whenever you encounter such problems, you need to book a drain line inspection in Toronto. Read on to find out more about what sewer video inspections are, when such inspections are necessary, why it’s actually cheaper to hire professional plumbers than it is to do the job yourself, and the expected results of a video inspection. What is a Sewer Line Inspection? A sewer line inspection is exactly what the term implies…an inspection of the inside of your sewage system. Professional plumbers use a special camera that is a waterproof device attached to a durable, yet flexible, cable. The camera is pushed through the pipe so that the plumber operating it can check out the condition of the pipes. After the sewer line inspection is done, the plumber will explain what was found, recommend a fix if there are any issues, any issues, and help you decide what option to take. When is it Necessary? There are at least 2 scenarios when a drain line inspection in Toronto is necessary. One involves buying or selling a home and the other involves drainage issues: Home Purchase or Sale: Are you in the market for a new home? Do you plan to put your home on the market sooner rather than later? It’s a good idea to retain the services of a professional plumbing company to perform a sewer camera inspection in either case. In fact, it might be mandatory. Getting this inspection will let you know whether or not the sewer piping is, firstly, in good working order and, secondly, up to code. You can well imagine how expensive things can be if undiagnosed problems are left to get worse over time. This is especially true if you’re dealing with an older home – one that is at least 25 years old. The materials used to make pipes back then aren’t as durable as the materials they use today. Drainage Problems: Another reason to call in a professional plumber to conduct a camera inspection is if you experience and sewer problems such as the following: Foul smell coming from the drains in your home Toilets will not flush Toilet gurgles after it’s been flushed Water takes a really long time to go down the drain If you encounter any of these issues, it’s worth contacting a professional plumber to check it out. Why is it More Cost-Effective to Hire a Company Versus DIY? While there are lots of projects that a capable DIY type can take on and successfully complete, a drain line video inspection simply isn’t one of them. This job requires specialized equipment, a knowledge of how to properly access the drain system, the skill to perform the procedure, and the ability to both interpret the findings and to recommend the right solution. When you consider that a full inspection will typically cost between $300 and $500, you can appreciate that the cost is quite reasonable for what the job entails. If you do it yourself, you will have to track down the proper equipment. That will be a tall order. Even if you are lucky enough to get your hands on a sewer camera, you would also need to know how to do it properly and how to fix any problems. There’s also the potential for costly errors. So you can appreciate the importance of hiring pros. Sewer Video Inspection: Expected Results The main benefit of getting a drain line video inspection in Toronto is that the plumbing professional doing the work will be able to quickly and accurately find any problems inside your pipes. And the sooner problems are discovered, the sooner something can be done to remedy them. If issues are left untended for too long, they will lead to greater issues that might end up costing far more than routine maintenance like an inspection. You can avoid headaches and stress by calling in a professional plumbing company to do a drain line video inspection.
The high performance, reliable and easy-to-install Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System from Brett Martin has been specified for a new housing development in Tutshill, Gloucestershire, the village where JK Rowling spent her childhood and which inspired many Harry Potter books. Located in the stunning Forest of Dean, on the banks of the River Wye near Chepstow, Birch Grove includes 45 new three, four and five-bedroom family homes all built to a high-specification for discerning buyers. In order to achieve the desired performance and aesthetics, housebuilder ButlerWall Homes chose a comprehensive and cost-effective range of rainwater and drainage systems which met their demands for quality, durability, low maintenance and ease-of-installation. The specification across these family homes included Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System comprising a 112mm Half Round Gutter and 68mm Round Downpipe in Classic Black. Significantly lighter than traditional cast iron rainwater systems, Cascade is much quicker, easier and safer to install at height, helping to offer the developer huge savings in terms of on-site installation costs. The system also features external fixing lugs designed to facilitate the use of power tools, further speeding up installation. Fascia boards in Foil Black were also supplied by Brett Martin to provide a seamless match across the rooflines of the homes. In addition to the popular Classic Black colour specified on the Birch Grove Development, Cascade is also available in a further seven heritage colours including Anthracite Grey, Oxford Blue, Chartwell Green, Olive Green, Graphite Grey, Sandstone and Porcelain White – all of which cater to the subtle nuances of local vernacular architecture. The complete colour range delivers the traditional appearance of real cast iron with the convenience of modern plastic materials. Cascade is also UV stabilised for a maintenance-free system that will stay looking great and working well for years, and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The development also saw the installation of Brett Martin’s underground drainage systems including the new Adoptable Access and Inspection Chamber Assemblies. Using a reputable manufacturer such as Brett Martin offers far more than the quality and versatility of the product itself – they provide superior technical support, detailed installation instructions and maintenance guidelines to ensure rainwater systems perform exactly as promised. With this fabulous new village development now complete, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System and a range of underground drainage solutions have met the aesthetic and performance requirements of the developer whilst ensuring a fast, efficient and economical installation.
Aquaspira Ltd, has secured a six figure grant from Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation) to explore ways to help the construction sector achieve Government de-carbonisation targets. The announcement comes as part of the UK Government’s unveiling of a multi-million pound investment to support businesses across the country pursue clean growth projects. The Sustainable Innovation Fund, delivered through Innovate UK, is a main part of the £1.25bn investment package announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April to help businesses innovate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aquaspira, a specialist manufacturer of large diameter drainage pipes, will invest £44,000 to supplement the £174,000 grant and is set to work in partnership with the University of Birmingham which secured a further £51,000 to deliver the project. Together they, and the UKCRIC National Buried Infrastructure Facility, will develop a lower carbon smart pipe for sustainable large-scale buried infrastructure projects. The research has the potential to make a significant step-change in helping the construction sector achieve Government de-carbonisation targets. It will explore the use of recycled materials for storm and drainage water pipes and the backfill required for their installation, as well as incorporating innovative sensing equipment for long-term asset monitoring. Neil Wallace, Managing Director of Aquaspira Ltd, said: “As a business we have been looking for the silver linings to the COVID cloud. At this difficult time, the grant will help our business to continue to innovate, grow and create jobs in the North West.” “This provides an incredibly exciting opportunity for new innovation. The Government’s objective of carbon zero by 2050 cannot be achieved without a significant reduction in the use of concrete in the construction process. This grant provides an opportunity to enhance understanding of the alternatives and deliver an exemplar low-carbon solution. It’s undoubtedly a major milestone for the business and will generate significant opportunities for Aquaspira in the UK and a potential export market.” Professor Nigel Cassidy, Professor of Geotechnical Infrastructure Engineering at the University of Birmingham, said: “Innovation is at the heart of the nation’s recovery from the COVID epidemic and we are delighted to be partnered with Aquaspira in this exciting and innovative project.” “Not only will the research deliver low-carbon drainage solutions for the construction industry but the new monitoring technologies will be vital for the long-term assessment of climate change impacts on our built environment.” The Innovate UK grant has been awarded by The Sustainable Innovation Fund and is part of the Government’s initiative to regenerate the economy after the impact of the COVID pandemic. The grant will significantly accelerate Aquaspira’s research and lay the foundations for the future growth of the business and employment in the area. The research will also open up future avenues for new products that will contribute to increasing the efficiency of the UK economy. Speaking about the multi-million pound Sustainable Innovation Fund to support clean growth projects, Business Secretary Alok Sharma commented: “The UK’s response to coronavirus has demonstrated the very best of British ingenuity, and it is this resourcefulness that will help us navigate our way through this pandemic. “Today’s investment will ensure that our innovators and risk-takers can continue to scale up their ideas, helping the UK to build back better and ensure we meet our clear commitments on tackling climate change.” Executive chair of Innovate UK, Dr Ian Campbell, added: “Yet again we see the exciting range of business innovation taking place across the United Kingdom, despite these difficult times. “Every initiative we’ve supported here represents an important step forward in sustainable economic development, but also one step nearer dreams becoming reality for ambitious hard-working company owners and their staff.”