Techrete Join CIRRCON Project with ‘Life’

Techrete have joined the EU-Funded ‘CIRRCON’ Project with the ‘Life’ Programme – Aiming to Transform Waste Products for Use as a Low Carbon Binder for Concrete.

Techrete are delighted to be involved with the CIRRCON Project in association with the LIFE programme. The research project has received funding from the European Union and the main objective is the production of circular (reinforced) concrete elements. This could potentially be achieved by transforming waste streams into a binder for concrete and avoiding primary material use, thus also reducing waste.

Techrete’s R&D Manager, Atteyeh S. Natanzi has emphasized the importance of this project both for the industry and Techrete and commented:

“We are enthusiastic about this innovative project as it has the potential to transform the way concrete is produced and used in the construction industry. The use of waste streams as a binding material, not only reduces waste but also decreases reliance on non-renewable resources, leading to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible construction industry. Furthermore, the production of circular concrete elements will tackle the critical issue of waste management, reducing its negative impact on the environment. The CIRRCON Project is a forward-thinking initiative with great potential for the construction industry’s future.”

Read more about the CIRRCON Project here.

Low Carbon Strategy Boosted with Solar Array

Techrete Install Large Solar Array at Dublin Facility

A Solar PV solution was installed at the Techrete factory in Balbriggan in September as part of our Low Carbon Strategy. With the Alternative Energy Ireland array, the Kw/h output is guaranteed, and it is expected that 300,000 kwh will be generated in year one alone. This will save Techrete approximately 75,000 kg of carbon emissions over 12 months.

Just one of our sustainability measures being implemented to ensure we reach our goal of achieving Net Zero by 2030.

Low Carbon Project for Warwick University Completed

Willmott Dixon Hands Over Low Carbon Techrete Project

The below press release details how Willmott Dixon delivered this low carbon project for University of Warwick. Techrete are proud to have manufactured and installed the precast façade – a major contributor to the sustainability of this project.

Willmott Dixon has completed the construction of the £33m Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB), which has been assembled with components manufactured offsite, at the University of Warwick

The new research building on the university’s Gibbet Hill campus will bring together up to 300 researchers who will be working to understand the origins and mechanistic basis of diseases of the body and brain, intending to find new ways to extend healthy life spans.

The facility will also house research in neuroscience, microbiology and infection, cell biology, and disease models, supporting and facilitating interdisciplinary biomedical research of the highest quality.

The development, which was project managed by Turner and Townsend, is 7000sqm and includes a 400-seat lecture theatre and five-storeys of laboratories, as well as various social and collaboration spaces.

Alongside housing a team of researchers, the development will also enhance the student experience, facilitate the growth of undergraduate schemes and foster interdisciplinary collaboration enabling life-changing biomedical research.

The building – designed by Hawkins Brown Architects and Fairhurst Design Group – has been completed to a standard with 50% of the development made up of PMV (pre-manufactured value), comprising of several offsite manufactured components, such as a pre-cast frame, mega-riser, timber frame, and cladding.

Net-Zero Carbon Strategy

This approach simplifies the project’s logistics and improves its sustainability credentials by reducing the carbon footprint.

The project, which was supported by cost consultants Mace, has also maximised opportunities to improve sustainability, including the installation of over 390 vertical PV solar panels; these offsets approximately 46,00kg CO2 emissions.

Willmott Dixon’s Energy SynergyTM process will also be applied to the building to bridge the performance gap and drive down energy costs.

Throughout the project, the contractor has also studied the project’s embodied carbon lifecycle which is supporting the university’s net-zero carbon estates strategy.

With a £750,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation, the IBRB includes the Wolfson Tissue Mechanobiology and Human Disease Laboratory, where researchers will investigate how cells and tissues perform mechanical functions.

Their work will impact our understanding of a wide range of diseases, from cancer to brittle bones and heart conditions, positively impacting our ability to fight human diseases.

Advancing Health and Fighting Diseases

Nick Preedy, project lead at Willmott Dixon, said: “Following the successful completion of the award-winning University of Warwick Sports Hub, we established sustainable working practices with the university that could be replicated throughout the build of the IBRB scheme.

“These innovative practices included a blend of onsite and offsite manufacturing, which allowed us to cut down on product waste for both schemes, reduce build time, ensure better quality control and minimise our carbon footprint through fewer site deliveries.

“Our Energy SynergyTM process also played a large part in the sustainability of both projects. Initially launched during the construction of the university’s Sports Hub; the innovative service offering enables us to accurately estimate the energy consumption of each build.

“As a result, IBRB is now one of the most environmentally sustainable space on the University of Warwick’s campus to date, aligning seamlessly with the university’s targets to be carbon net-zero by 2030.”

Techrete Publish Environmental Product Declaration

Techrete are proud to publish the first ever company specific Environmental Product Declaration for Architectural Precast Concrete Cladding.

Our bespoke Environmental Product Declaration has recently been verified and published by EPD Ireland. Our EPD confirms that we are currently 20% less carbon intensive than the industry standard.

The publication of our bespoke EPD marks an important milestone in our carbon reduction journey to be 50% less carbon intensive than the current standard panel by 2025 and net zero by 2030.

BES 6001 Audit 2020 Successful

‘Very Good’ Rating Maintained for Techrete

Our annual BES 6001 audit was completed successfully recently and we are delighted to maintain our ‘Very Good’ rating. BES 6001 is the Framework for Responsible Sourcing which enables manufacturers to attain the responsible sourcing credentials of a wide range of materials assessed and certificated.

The standard is broken down into three sections:

  • Organisational Management Requirements
  • Supply Chain Management Requirements
  • Requirements related to the management of sustainable development

We are proud to have maintained this rating and are working hard to achieve the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ next year.