Keepmoat to slash site carbon emissions with HVO biofuel roll out
Top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat will cut site carbon emissions by more than a thousand tonnes per year as its telehandlers and generators transition from diesel to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) biofuel. The switch will apply to both telehandlers and new generator hires by the housebuilder, fulfilling its commitment to achieve a 51 percent reduction in direct emissions by 2032. HVO is a renewable diesel that delivers up to 99 percent lower carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel and is fully compatible with plant machinery, enabling immediate adoption across live developments without changing existing equipment or infrastructure. On a typical site, the switch is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 21.9 tonnes per year per telehandler, making a significant contribution to Keepmoat’s science-based targets. Karl Wiseman, Group Production Director at Keepmoat said: “At Keepmoat, we’re focused on driving innovation and sustainability across everything we do, working closely with our partners and supply chain to deliver lower-carbon homes and communities. “From 1 May 2026, we’ll roll this out across our sites as existing diesel supplies are used up. We’ll also specify HVO fuel for all new generators hired, helping us deliver a smooth yet rapid transition across the business. With telehandlers and generators being the biggest contributors to direct on-site emissions, this is a clear opportunity for us to make a meaningful impact.” Keepmoat is a leading partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 60 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more, please visit: www.keepmoat.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Holcim UK supplies first-class mortar solution to iconic Manchester project
Located at the entrance to Trafford Park, No.1 Old Trafford comprises two striking residential towers of 15 and 18 storeys. Surrounded by local landmarks including the Manchester Ship Canal, Old Trafford Stadium, and Hotel Football, the twin-tower development demanded a visually united mortar finish and a supply solution capable of meeting the demands of a constrained urban site. Project at a glance section The brief Domis Construction tasked long‑term brickwork partner Kinlan Brickwork to deliver the external brickwork on the project, who in turn contacted Holcim Mortars due to the strong history of partnership between the companies across multiple North West high‑rise schemes. From the outset, the team required a consistent, aesthetically aligned mortar that would complement the chosen Heritage brick, meet architect expectations on colour accuracy and remain in keeping with buildings in the local area. With limited ground-level space and bricklayers working continuously at height, the site also needed a mortar solution that enabled efficient lifting, storage and next‑day use without risk of downtime. Challenges The project presented several logistical and operational obstacles. Dual carriageways on one side and the canal on the other restricted space for material storage. Mortar also needed to arrive in the afternoon, be moved directly into tubs, lifted up onto mast climbers, and remain workable for bricklaying first-thing in the morning. This meant there was no tolerance for delivery delays, with any missed drops halting bricklayers working at height and creating costly disruption. As a building that will be seen daily by thousands of commuters and residents travelling football fans, even minor colour variation would have been noticeable and therefore unacceptable. This added an extra layer of importance to the mortar colour, which not only had to be in keeping with the chosen Heritage brick, but also had to remain consistent in its pigmentation. The solution Holcim provided GM4 Eco 132 ready-to-use (RTU) mortar to the No.1 Old Trafford project, selected from an on‑site colour showcase and approved by the architects for its warm, light straw‑brown tone that complemented the Heritage brick palette. To ensure uninterrupted progress, RTU mortar was supplied with a 36–72-hour retarder, guaranteeing prime workability when lifted to upper floors.Deliveries were made using Holcim’s pod truck fleet, where the coloured mix is stored in an isolated compartment to protect against contamination and maintain colour consistency. Daily coordination between Holcim’s internal office team and Kinlan’s project managers ensured precise batching, proactive communication, and no missed morning or afternoon delivery windows. Continuous supply was made from Holcim’s Ellesmere Port plant, strategically located to serve Manchester’s construction corridor. These deliveries supported a smooth build sequence and enabled Kinlan’s bricklayers to work efficiently at height during summer and winter seasons. Overall operational discipline — including exact pigment dosing and meticulous pod cleaning — ensured a flawless exterior finish across both towers. Over the 18‑month programme, Holcim supplied nearly 600m³ of RTU mortar, which equates to coverage of approximately 17.5 km² of brickwork. Sustainability considerations Holcim incorporated several measures that supported reduced waste and efficiency throughout the project. Pod trucks, for example, enabled multi‑site “milk runs”, reducing the number of single‑purpose vehicle movements. The retarder also ensured full utilisation of each batch, minimising wasted material and avoiding the mortar from prematurely setting off. In addition, consistent batching eliminated the risk of rejected loads or colour mismatch, reducing remediation and embodied carbon associated with rework. What we achieved in numbers Outcome Ben Douglas, senior project manager at Kinlan Brickwork, said: “The No.1 Old Trafford project was delivered to an exceptional quality, with seamless colour consistency across both towers and zero disruption to the brickwork programme. The collaborative working relationship between Holcim, Kinlan and Domis proved instrumental in ensuring smooth logistics and a flawless finish on one of Trafford Park’s most prominent residential developments.” Steven Howitt, Area Sales Manager for Mortar and Screed at Holcim UK, said: “This project is a stellar example of what can happen when teamwork really comes to fruition. Timings, logistics and organisation were all critical factors in making sure the build ran smoothly and to plan. “Today, No.1 Old Trafford stands as a stunning visual example of efficient supply planning, technical precision and close contractor collaboration — seen by thousands of people each week as they enter the iconic Trafford Park.” To find out more about Holcim UK’s mortar offering, please visit https://www.holcim.co.uk/products/mortar Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis signs Cainiao at Prologis Apex Park DC4
Prologis UK has secured a 10-year lease with Cainiao, a global ecommerce logistics provider and part of Alibaba Group, marking a significant expansion of its UK operations. Prologis Apex Park DC4’s recent refurbishment was delivered with a strong focus on sustainability, featuring advanced LED lighting, a solar PV array and EV charging infrastructure, resulting in an EPC A rating and supporting lower carbon operations. The 150,911 sq ft DC4 enables rapid operational ramp-up with the installation, through Prologis Essentials, of wide aisle racking providing 20,028 pallet capacity. This allows Cainiao to move in quickly and handle high-volume operations from day one. Sun Beibei, Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Cainiao, said: “By signing a 10-year lease at Prologis Apex Park, we are making a clear, long-term commitment to the UK market. This significant investment reflects our confidence in continued growth and reinforces the stability and reliability of the logistics services we deliver to customers across the region. Prologis Apex Park offers the location, specification and flexibility we need to support our continued growth in the UK. The ability to move quickly through leasing and into a facility that is already optimised for high-volume operations was a key factor in our decision. We look forward to working with Prologis as we expand our network.” Tom Price, Leasing Director at Prologis UK, said: “Cainiao’s decision to locate at Prologis Apex Park reflects the strength of the Midlands as a core logistics location, as well as continued investment from Chinese ecommerce businesses into the UK. As an existing global customer, we were able to move quickly on commercial terms, enabling this transaction to complete” The letting brings Prologis Apex Park to full occupancy, following the recent leasing of DC3 to DHL. The park is home to major global customers including CEVA Logistics, XPO Logistics, Cummins and Hankook, reinforcing its position as one of the Midland’s premier logistics locations with strong connectivity and access to an established labour pool within the Midlands’ ‘golden triangle’. A final opportunity remains at the park, with DC11 offering a 91,000 sq ft build-to-suit unit with full planning consent. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BW reports record financial year as turnover hits £326.7m
BW Interiors Limited, the trading name of BW: Workplace Experts (BW), has reported a 132% increase in pre-tax profit to £13.9 million for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025. The London office fit out and design and build specialists are now targeting £500 million turnover by 2030. BW attributes its record performance, with turnover increasing by a third to £326.7 million up from £244 million in 2024, to its strong client partnerships and high-quality delivery, supported by a strong central London office market. Companies across the capital are increasingly investing in high-quality workplace fit out as more implement return-to-office strategies. This market strength is reflected in BW’s own financial position as its net assets remain strong at £18 million, and year-end cash reserves stood at £57 million. BW came into 2026 with over £210 million in secured work for the current period and is on target to achieve £375 million turnover in 2026. £42 million has been secured for 2027 to date. The company recently completed one of its largest projects to date, a £63 million office for a tech firm in London and continues to focus on delivering projects of varying sizes, while planning to increase the number of larger schemes over the next five years across its key markets of commercial workplace and higher education, with sustained strength across the legal, tech and private equity sectors. In March 2026, BW moved into its new 16,500 sq ft office at The Carter, close to St Paul’s Cathedral, further reflecting its growth and expansion in the City of London. The BW team has grown from 65 people in 2016 to close to 320 employees this year. Steve Elliott, CEO at BW: Workplace Experts, said: “2025 was our 25th year in business and our strongest financial performance to date, a reflection of the incredible pace of growth over the past decade, where we have gone from a £60 million turnover business to £326.7 million, making BW the UK’s number two fit out contractor by brand. “We have strong ambitions for the next phase of growth and clear plans to deliver them. With turnover on target for £375 million in 2026 and £500 million by 2030, we remain focused on delivering exceptional, defect-free workplace fit out and design and build solutions across our core markets, offering our unique personable, and innovative approach to deliver high specification workplaces that people enjoy going to work at.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Last Mile hits 1 million connections as multi-utility pipeline grows
Last Mile, a leading multi-utility infrastructure provider, today announces it has reached 1 million utility connections; a landmark milestone that signals the company’s sustained growth, resilience and the financial strength of its growing asset portfolio. The figure comprises live connections across electricity, gas, water, wastewater and heat networks, managed by Last Mile at residential, commercial and industrial developments since its inception in 2002. From being granted the very first Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) licence in Great Britain for electricity, to adding multi-award-winning low carbon solutions to its offering and attracting blue-chip investor backing, Last Mile has a long history of hitting significant milestones. “Reaching 1 million connections is a significant moment for us, and it is thanks to the dedication of the people across our business who have made it possible,” said Richard Thomas, Last Mile CEO. “Every one of those connections is the result of designers, engineers, operational colleagues, asset managers, and many others delivering reliable utility networks to our customers across the country, who put their trust in us for their projects. I’m incredibly proud of what our colleagues have achieved, in true partnership with our customers, and this momentum should give us real confidence as Last Mile looks ahead to its next chapter of growth.” The 1 millionth connection was made at a service station in the West Midlands, with Last Mile adopting the infrastructure powering rapid EV charge points. Last Mile operates as an end-to-end independent multi-utility provider, with capabilities in both infrastructure delivery and long-term network ownership. Alongside its live connections, the company has an order book of 710,000 new connections that it is designing, building and adopting. Recent flagship projects include: the multi-award-winning Welborne garden village in Hampshire, where it is delivering the UK’s first water-source heat network using reservoir water to heat and cool up to 6,000 homes; the Michaelston College redevelopment in Cardiff, the Welsh capital’s first housing project to use a ground source heat network; and Brabazon, in Bristol, one of the government’s seven designated new towns where it is delivering multi-utility connections. The organisation’s ongoing growth is underpinned by blue-chip investors, Infracapital and Macquarie Asset Management, providing the financial platform for Last Mile to offer developers and ICPs innovative asset finance models and to invest in the long-term operation and management of multi-utility connections. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
How Innovation is Transforming Trash to Treasure Through Smart Waste Management
For decades, waste was seen as an endpoint — something to be burned or buried. Today, waste is considered an overlooked resource waiting to be unlocked, and a wave of innovation is making this transformation possible. New technologies are moving the U.S. toward a truly circular economy, where materials are kept in use for years beyond their typical “expiration dates.” The Driving Forces Behind the Waste Revolution Experts predict that global municipal solid waste generation will increase from 2.1 billion tons in 2023 to 3.8 billion tons by 2050. The alarming quantities are not going unnoticed. Modern consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious. Around 65% want to buy eco-friendly products, showing a clear market preference for sustainability. This high demand is putting pressure on brands to adopt greener practices, for everything from product design to packaging choices. Federal grants help drive the circular economy in America, like the $275 million for solid waste infrastructure for improvements in recycling and waste management. Another example is the RECYCLE act, which provides up to $15 million for waste management education and initiatives. The Technologies Turning Trash Into Resources America has a 32% recycling rate, and the goal is to reach 50% by 2030. Here are some of the innovations that can help the country hit that mark. 1. AI-Powered Sorting and Robotics Imagine a modern sorting facility where conveyor belts move waste under high-speed cameras. AI software identifies different materials — such as PET and HDPE plastics — in milliseconds and directs robotic arms or jets of air to separate them. This results in much higher purity in recycled materials, making them more desirable to manufacturers. It also helps sort items that are difficult for humans to separate quickly and safely. 2. IoT Sensors and Intelligent Route Optimization IoT sensors placed in public and commercial trash cans can monitor fill levels in real time. They can send a signal to a central software platform, which will automatically reroute the nearest collection vehicle and add the stop to its optimized route. This keeps bins from overflowing, reduces unnecessary collections of half-empty bins, and lowers fuel consumption and emissions. Route optimization can also ease urban traffic congestion. 3. Advanced Chemical Recycling Unlike shredding, melting and other mechanical recycling methods, chemical recycling breaks down complex plastics into their original molecules or feedstock. This output is identical to the kind derived from oil. That means it can be used to repeatedly create new, food-grade quality plastic products. 4. Data and Software for a Greener Footprint A waste management company can use software solutions to track how much waste is collected, where it goes and how much is recycled and sent to landfills. The associated carbon footprint of these activities can also be monitored. Accurate reporting capabilities can help organizations comply with environmental impact regulations and demonstrate sustainability improvements to stakeholders. 5. Turning Waste Into Watts Modern anaerobic digestion facilities can process organic waste, such as food scraps, by breaking it down in an oxygen-free environment. This produces biogas — which is burned to generate electricity — and a nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as agricultural fertilizer. Modern incinerators can burn residual waste that can’t be recycled to generate steam, which powers turbines that create electricity and heat for local homes and businesses. 6. Digital Waste Marketplaces Many online platforms now connect businesses producing a specific type of refuse, like wood offcuts and textiles, with others that can use that waste as raw material. This creates a B2B circular economy, turning disposal costs into revenue. For example, a furniture maker with a regular supply of wood cuts can list them on a marketplace. A local artist who needs small wood pieces for sculptures can purchase this waste, creating value for both parties. Responsible Disposal for Every Item A complete smart waste system empowers individuals and businesses to properly manage items that don’t belong in the main recycling stream. For example, improper disposal of chemicals containing heavy metals and other hazardous elements can lead to soil and water contamination. Consider automotive products, such as refrigerant canisters. To keep them out of landfills, check if the retailer has a take-back program or determine the disposal methods recommended by local waste management providers. A New Era for Waste Management Powerful new technologies are rising to meet the challenges of waste. Smart management is the thread connecting all aspects, from AI-driven industrial plants to the responsible choices of a single person. With each innovation, America takes a step closer to a future where the circular economy is the norm.