A greener future for the construction industry

A leading concrete block manufacturer in Shropshire today revealed a significant 'six-figure' investment in research and development to enhance the environmental impact of its market-leading products.

With the race to zero amongst the Government's key priorities, Besblock, a family-run firm based in Halesfield, Telford, said it was committed to doing everything in its power to lead the way in the construction sector.

With a new biomass boiler expected to save nearly 6,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, and up to 10,000 with future investment, a suite of hybrid vehicles reducing emissions further and solar panels helping slash energy costs by 65%, the next step was investment into low-carbon products.

Sales Director Martin Fulwell said: "We are already offsetting the carbon in our production process but now we want to make sure the blocks themselves are as 'green' as possible.

"We have spent a significant sum in the last 18 months on developing new ways to refine our market-leading Star Performer block to make sure it has a sector leading carbon footprint."

"We're reducing material use, water use, cement content and lowering carbon emissions in the factory. Whilst there is no magic solution we are also exploring new lighter-weight structures which do not affect the performance or integrity of our blocks."
Besblock has already taken the wraps off Star Performer Foundation, a foundation block which has been two years in development and boasts high strength, low weight and zero waste - a stronger-yet-lighter block means less lorry movements and less CO2 as a result.

"There's also a competition amongst the delivery drivers to return the most miles per gallon plus any new additions to the fleet will be hybrid or electric. This isn't a piecemeal approach but a commitment across the board."

Besblock will work closely with the UK Green Building Council and the Building Alliance to continue its efforts at a time when the construction industry has never been more in the spotlight.

"The Government has made it very clear that this industry has to work harder than ever to make a positive impact on the environment," he continued.

"We're to set the benchmark."