Materials & Supplies

Firm Creates Unique Eco-Bricks from Construction Waste

The brick generates 10pc of the carbon emissions of an old-style fired brick.

Updated on

January 13, 2020

The brick can be manufactured in any colour. PHOTO | FILE

Scholars at the Heriot-Watt University in Scotland have signed a deal with recycling specialist Hamilton Waste & Recycling to commercially produce a new type of recycled brick at the firm’s Edinburgh plant.

Dubbed K-Briq, the product produced by spin-off company Kenoteq is made from 90 per cent construction and demolition waste.

The brick generates 10 per cent of the carbon emissions of an old-style fired brick and uses just a tenth of the energy in its production, making it a great choice for individuals looking to engage in sustainable construction.

K-Briq is made from concrete, brick and plasterboard waste combined with a secret binder and compressed to size without firing. The brick can be manufactured in any colour.

According to Prof. Gabriela Medero, who came up with the idea of K-Briq more than a decade ago, the product looks like a normal clay brick but offers enhanced insulation properties.

“It is sustainable and not kiln-fired so it is far better for the environment and represents massive savings for the construction industry in terms of related taxes,” Prof. Medero said.

The scholar said he spent many years studying construction materials and was concerned that modern building techniques exploit raw materials without considering the levels of carbon emissions.

Dr Sam Chapman, an associate of Prof Medero, said Kenoteq has invested in machinery that can produce three million bricks a year.

“We’ve produced thousands of bricks and put them through rigorous testing with the K-Briq now commercially available to construction clients.

“The Scottish government has set very high targets for house building with 50,000 new homes earmarked for construction in the next three years. We hope Kenoteq will be part of those homes.”

Scotland is a net importer of brick, with up to 85 per cent of bricks used in the country coming from Europe, and Kenoteq hopes to ride on K-Briq’s eco-friendly traits to win business from Scots.