A multi-award-winning masonry supplier has unveiled its new range of eco-friendly blocks to sustainably power a British building boom.
The new Lignacite ECO Range initially features concrete blocks made of 50% and 70% recycled materials – the Lignacite ECO 50 and Lignacite ECO 70. These lower-carbon blocks harness the power of recycled sand and wood particles, among other ingredients, to create a sustainable solution that maximises durability.
The result is a block which can offer up to 70%¹ reduction in embodied carbon compared to their standard counterparts. A project which uses 500m² of Lignacite ECO, for example, would save the carbon equivalent of either planting 300 trees, boiling 152,500 litres of water or 1,060 hours of train travel when compared to Lignacite Standard blocks².
The launch comes as the Government continues to push to get Britain building, with the range offering specifiers a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional blocks.
Giles de Lotbiniere, Chairman of Lignacite, said: “Our new ECO Range offers the same strength and reliability our customers expect – but these blocks aren’t just tough on performance, they’re kinder on the planet.
“Through this range, we’re cutting carbon, not corners – utilising recycled materials to provide the industry with a high-performance, eco-enhanced block that tackles one of the world’s greatest challenges.
“As with all our products, the ECO Range is supported by an extensive range of certifications, meaning our customers can rest assured they’re purchasing a product which provides maximum performance and reliability.”
Both the Lignacite ECO 50 and Lignacite ECO 70 have independently verified Environmental Product Declarations, issued by EPD Hub, guaranteeing their environmental credentials. This is further bolstered by the BES 6001 V4.0 accreditation for responsible sourcing³.
Testing has found both blocks match their standard counterparts in weight, strength and thermal conductivity, while providing excellent weighted sound reduction, fire resistance and air tightness.
Their sustainable credentials can be further boosted with delivery via hydrotreated vegetable oil-powered trucks, reducing carbon emissions during transport by at least 90% under A4.
Lignacite blocks have been used on some of the UK’s most iconic buildings – from The Shard to London Stadium and Battersea Power Station to Google’s UK Headquarters.
The business gave its factory in Brandon a multi-million-pound uplift in 2023, making it capable of producing approximately 7,000m2 of blocks per day – the equivalent needed to build around 65 three-bedroom homes.
It also has a second highly productive site in Nazeing, Essex, which serves the London and South East markets.
Mr de Lotbiniere added: “At Lignacite, we have been at the forefront of the construction industry for almost 80 years, relied on for some of the country’s most prestigious developments.
“The launch of our ECO Range further cements our position as an industry leader and demonstrates our commitment to crafting sustainable solutions.”
More information on the Lignacite ECO Range, including a calculator tool to better understand the possible carbon savings, can be found at: eco-range.lignacite.co.uk.
