Grant support will help paving manufacturer slash carbon emissions
Oakdale Contracts, a Catterick-based paving manufacturer, is partnering with the Materials Processing Institute to develop low embodied carbon concrete kerbs after securing £415,000 of grant funding from Innovate UK.
Cement and concrete production account for around 8% of global CO2 emissions, with traditional concrete production using extensive quantities of Ordinary Portland Cement materials which requires large amounts of energy.
Oakdale Contracts, is teaming up with the Teesside-based Institute to focus on the development of low carbon concrete kerbs for the construction and hard-landscaping sector.
A national centre for research and innovation across the foundation industries, the Materials Processing Institute is making its expertise in alternative cementitious materials available in the search for a novel new material.
When manufactured at Oakdale, the intention is to produce a material that has a low or carbon neutral footprint, but ensuring the product retains at least the same performance values and aesthetics of products made using traditional methods and designs.
With the sector considered one of the highest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, Innovate UK has launched the £12m Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM) programme, to support UK materials and manufacturing organisations to become significantly more resource efficient.
Oakdale, a subsidiary of Hellens Group, has deployed other decarbonising tactics to help with its commitment to develop carbon free products in the future.
The firm has recently built a 576-panel solar farm, which currently provides 300,000 kWh of energy per year – enough energy supply for the entire factory.
Gavin Cordwell-Smith, chief executive at Hellens Group, said: “We are pleased to have been awarded £415,000 from innovate UK and we’re very much looking forward to working with our partners at the Materials Processing Institute, who will add serious value to what we’re trying to achieve.
“The partnership truly highlights the talent and expertise of workers in the North East, who will be striving to ultimately unlock the magical formula for low embodied carbon concrete to be used widely across our sector.
Richard Birley, the Institute’s group manager for Advanced Materials, and leader of the project, added: “As we tackle the pressing issue of decarbonising energy intensive industries, this collaboration embodies the spirit of innovation and sustainability by harnessing expertise in alternative cementitious materials.
“Together, we aim to create a new standard for environmentally responsible construction materials, marking a pivotal step towards a greener and more energy-efficient future.”
