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.

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

Related Content

  • Low carbon concrete needs holistic approach, not just cement
    April 24, 2018
    The whole supply chain must be addressed if the goal of low carbon concrete is to be achieved, says Koen Coppenholle, chief executive of Cembureau, the European Cement Association. Cement makes up just 10-15% of concrete, but is the most energy-intensive ingredient – although the carbon footprint of the other elements should not be overlooked. Also, the post production carbon impacts of concrete must be considered, said Coppenholle, speaking at an Intermat forum on concrete and the challenge of low carbo
    Read More
  • Asphalt plants reduce emissions, increase efficiency
    February 20, 2012
    Solutions for a reduction in emissions, recycling and more efficiency are being introduced by major asphalt plant manufacturers as Patrick Smith reports. The demand to reduce all types of emissions and increase the use of recycled material has put pressure on industry to come up with answers, and asphalt production is no exception.
    Read More
  • Recycling road gully waste
    September 26, 2013
    Recycling waste gully materials can save costs and also meet tough European sustainability requirements, with one firm offering a novel solution The effects of the Landfill Directive together with the annual increase in Landfill Tax have significantly increased the cost of disposal of gully waste. This is currently around £50/tonne but is expected to rise to £80/tonne in 2014 in the UK, although other parts of Europe may differ. As a consequence, this has increased the operating costs for companies pro
    Read More
  • Concrete cancer cure found?
    May 26, 2016
    Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada believe they may have discovered a cure for ‘concrete cancer’, which afflicts many concrete structures. The Canadian claims for a concrete cancer cure revolve around a novel method for producing concrete using discarded glass. Researchers at UBC’s Okanagan campus were able to reduce the chemical reaction that previously caused glass-fed concrete to weaken, expand and crack. This reaction is widely referred to as concrete cancer. “Every
    Read More

Highlighted Content