Faced with fluctuating quality and supply of fly ash, a paving contractor seeks academic collaboration to explore sustainable alternatives.
- The British shift towards cleaner energy sources has led to a need for imported fly ash in construction mixtures.
- Miles Macadam, known for their use of fly ash in grouts, partners with Aston University to investigate biochar as a potential substitute.
- The collaboration is a 30-month knowledge transfer project funded by Innovate UK, aiming for environmental benefits and cost reduction.
- Successful alternatives will undergo real-world testing to assess performance in various conditions.
In recent years, the transition to cleaner energy production in Britain has necessitated a significant shift for industries relying on fly ash, a by-product previously sourced from domestic coal-fired power stations. Now, with a diminished local supply, companies such as Cheshire-based Miles Macadam are importing fly ash, facing challenges with both quality and consistency of supply.
In an innovative attempt to address these issues, Miles Macadam has joined forces with Aston University through a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP). Spanning a 30-month period and funded by Innovate UK, the project seeks to explore the viability of using biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from organic waste, as a replacement for conventional cementitious materials in their road surfacing products. This partnership highlights a forward-thinking approach towards sustainable construction practices and aims to reduce the reliance on imported materials by utilising waste products while conserving natural resources.
Biochar’s potential benefits are noteworthy; it not only offers an opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions but also enhances the environmental credentials of construction materials. The project will delve into the material’s properties, particularly its effectiveness against water absorption and durability under stress, replicating real-world weather conditions involving cycles of freezing and thawing at Aston University’s cutting-edge facilities.
Leading this initiative from the university’s side, Dr Moura Mehravar emphasised the project’s ambitious goal to replace traditional materials with biochar, thereby contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Her role, pivotal to the project’s success, involves guiding the research towards practical and sustainable results, ensuring a dynamic exchange of knowledge between academia and industry stakeholders.
The academic lead, Professor Mujib Rahman, brings extensive expertise in civil engineering materials to the collaboration. His insights into asphalt and concrete are expected to be crucial in evaluating how biochar can meet specific requirements for Miles Macadam while potentially offering broader applications across the construction sector. The project’s success could signal a breakthrough in sustainable construction materials, positioning Miles Macadam as a leader in environmentally conscious product innovation.
This collaborative project exemplifies a decisive step towards sustainable solutions, promising significant advancements in eco-friendly construction practices.
