Skip to main content

Sustainable bricks from KENOTEQ

UK firm KENOTEQ is offering a sustainable construction product in the shape of an unfired brick that is made from waste materials. Construction and demolition waste make up around 90% of the materials used in the firm’s novel K-Briq.
August 19, 2021 Read time: 1 min
A novel brick is now offered that is made from waste materials

The company is a clean-tech spin-out from Heriot-Watt University and is looking to commercialise production of its brick. The aim is to supply more than two million bricks/year.

The K-Briq is made from over 90% recycled demolition and construction waste materials. It has just 10% of the CO2 emissions of a traditional fired brick for its production and requires less than 10% of the energy in its manufacture.

The firm says that the production of this type of brick reduces the need to send waste materials from construction and demolition to landfill. In addition, production also slashes energy use, both in manufacturing and also in use as it has double the insulation properties of existing bricks and blocks. By using recycled pigments, it can be made in a range of colours providing flexibility to architects and design planners.

The K-Briq was conceived by Professor Gabriela Medero from Heriot-Watt University following more than a decade of research and development into creating innovative, low-carbon products from recycled construction waste. Professor Medero is co-founder and technical director of KENOTEQ, which launched in January 2020.

Related Content

  • Manufacturers push hybrid driveline technology
    March 11, 2014
    Driveline technology continues to develop rapidly, with many manufacturers at this year’s Conexpo exhibition showing Tier 4 Final emissions solutions, along with a host of fuel saving transmissions and hydraulic systems, all aiming to reduce operating costs for the customer. However, while there was certainly a hybrid presence at the show, things haven’t perhaps moved forward as fast as many had expected.
  • Advanced asphalt compaction machine deliver quality surfaces
    May 21, 2014
    Manufacturers are introducing new compaction machines to meet the latest market requirements - Mike Woof writes
  • Conway's state-of-the-art plant
    February 6, 2012
    In the UK, highways maintenance specialist FM Conway, which places great importance on its green credentials, says that as part of this strategy it is to open what it thinks is the UK's most modern asphalt and recycling plant.
  • ERF: LCE4ROADS for sustainability during road construction
    March 28, 2017
    LCE4ROADS is a new certificate assessing sustainability during road construction and rehabilitation Statistics have just been released showing that 2016 was the hottest year in history and reinforcing the concern that climate change is starting to have a real impact on our society. Adaptation to climate change is becoming an ever growing priority for the road infrastructure sector which is looking for new ways to conduct its construction and maintenance operations in a more environmentally friendly ma