STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; APPOINTMENTS & COMPANY NEWS 41
materials’ lifespans on a huge scale. This extensive longevity translates directly into superior environmental performance, with each brick’s carbon footprint distributed across centuries rather than decades in well maintained buildings.
This whole-life approach to sustainability will result in a low carbon footprint for every year of use. Rather than simply using materials with lower upfront carbon, a whole life approach considers environmental impact across a product’s entire lifecycle, from production to use, maintenance and recycling.
A broader defi nition of sustainability True sustainability demands consideration of a building material’s complete environmental impact – from extraction through manufacturing, construction, use, and end of life. Clay brick excels at each stage: locally sourced raw materials minimise transport emissions as we have referenced, natural composition ensures low operational carbon, minimal maintenance requirements reduce lifetime impact, and its ability to be reused and recycled supports circular economy principles.
Next generation brickmaking While the UK brick industry is rooted in tradition, it continues to pioneer revolutionary manufacturing processes to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions during manufacturing. Michelmersh’s HyBrick project achieved a world fi rst in 2022, demonstrating an 80- 84% reduction in carbon emissions through hydrogen-fi red production. Meanwhile, Atlas Ibstock’s new pathfi nder factory is a state-of-the-art facility producing durable, lower carbon and CarbonNeutral certifi ed bricks, approximately 50% less embodied carbon than before.
As the construction industry charts a course towards net zero, clay brick emerges not merely as a traditional choice. It offers a rare combination of local sourcing, low emissions in transport, visual compatibility with an area’s architectural heritage and extraordinary longevity. In an industry searching for low-carbon solutions that don’t compromise on reliability or design, locally sourced clay brick stands out as both a modern and time-honoured solution.
Robert Flello is CEO of the Brick Development Association (BDA)
BAL and ARDEX achieve gold standard for carbon reduction
ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Ltd – part of the ARDEX Group UK – have both achieved gold certifi cation for fi ve years of continuous CO2
reduction. The ARDEX Group UK fi rst achieved ISO 14064:1
(otherwise known as CEMARS) for the quantifying and reporting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and removals in 2019. Building Adhesives Ltd and ARDEX UK were the fi rst companies in the global ARDEX Group to achieve this standard and were the fi rst companies in the tiling and fl ooring sectors to be reporting their GHG emissions through this internationally recognized standard. BAL and ARDEX UK worked with Achilles (an independent consultancy) to accurately measure their GHG emissions and create positive strategies to manage and continually reduce impacts. Achilles’ Carbon Reduce (powered by Toitu) scheme highlights the necessary data required which is then measured, monitored and calculated under the ISO 14064:1 scheme. Following successful completion and assessment, executive reports are produced for independent verifi cation. Annual audits are carried out by Achilles.
01782 591100
www.bal-adhesives.com The design talent of tomorrow
Dulux is proud to announce its support for the visionary GREEN GRADS initiative, a unique UK platform dedicated to promoting the next generation of sustainably focused talent in design, art and engineering. With shared goals to foster innovation and champion sustainability, this collaboration will pave the way for sustainable advancements within the
design industry. Dulux is committed to transforming the way people paint by prioritising sustainability in everything it does. Dulux aims to make a positive difference to both the planet and people.
www.dulux.co.uk/en/sustainability www.greengrads.co.uk Retrofi t 2025 at the Building Centre
Sanifl o is delighted to announce a six-month collaboration with the Building Centre as a Principal Partner for ‘Retrofi t 2025 – What’s Stopping Us’. As well as a static exhibition in the organisation’s central London location, there is a full programme of in-person and online events
for the duration of the campaign, which is designed to help navigate the barriers and opportunities in the retrofi t sector of the built environment. Retrofi t 2025 aims to show that tools and solutions to transform existing buildings already exist and to encourage architects, Government and local authorities to take the next steps.
020 8842 0033
www.sanifl
o.co.uk
DOWNLOAD REPORT
For more information about clay brick’s sustainability credentials, download the latest sustainability report by scanning the QR Code.
ADF MAY 2025
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
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