Best Use of New Materials in a Project
This award aims to recognise the use of new or innovative materials that have been utilised on a project. Entries highlighted how this new or innovative material has been used with a project, that could be to improve resilience, reduce embodied carbon or improve material strength.
Daylun
Vegetable Glue
Daylun’s Vegetable Glue: A Sustainable Construction Breakthrough Daylun’s Vegetable Glue, developed with 50ul Technologies, is an innovative, biodegradable adhesive made from vegetable oil, designed to replace traditional chemical-based adhesives. Used successfully in the 241 Waterloo project, it demonstrated superior performance by reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing material strength.
Key Features:
Carbon Reduction: The glue offers a significant decrease in embodied carbon compared to concrete.
Material Strength: Achieved a compressive strength of 20 MPa, suitable for residential foundations and slabs.
Sustainability: 100% organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable, making it safe and eco-friendly.
The glue integrates seamlessly into existing construction practices and shows promise for scalability. Daylun is committed to certifying its use for structural applications and exploring further uses in waterproofing, driving the construction industry towards sustainable practices.
Daylun
EVAN Board
EVAN Board: A Sustainable Innovation by Daylun. Daylun’s EVAN Board is revolutionizing residential construction with its biodegradable Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, replacing high-carbon plasterboard. The EVAN Board has 80% less embodied energy compared to its counterpart: 1/2" drywall: 8kg/sq. meter = 3 kgCO2e/m2 5/8" EVAN Board: 2kg/sq. meter = 0.5 kgCO2e/m2 This material reduces the carbon footprint, enhances structural integrity, and is lightweight and easy to handle. Weighing under 12 pounds per sheet, it lowers transportation emissions and installation costs, fitting seamlessly into existing practices without new tools.
Key Features: 100% recyclable Biodegradable Includes 15% organic materials Tensile strength of 3 MPA The EVAN Board can quickly replace traditional plasterboard in the market, utilizing existing machinery. It’s perfect for off-site and modular construction. Daylun is committed to scaling up production and partnering with industry leaders to advance sustainable construction.
TEAM2100
The Canvey Island Southern Shoreline Revetment
The Canvey Island Southern Shoreline Revetment Project is part of the Thames Estuary Asset Management (TEAM) 2100 Programme. The project involves renewing and improving the revetment on the tidal defences along the Canvey Island shoreline. Construction commenced in January 2023. Following selection of the lowest carbon option, the design team identified opportunities to optimise design, reduce material quantities, and use novel materials – including combining Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer reinforcement bars with Cemfree Rapid concrete in the offsite manufacture of 17 sets of pre-cast concrete steps, resulting in an ~80% reduction in carbon compared to a traditional concrete and steel rebar structure. Its drive to maximise opportunities for innovation has focussed on decarbonisation, and in 2023 the project innovated with renewable energy and low carbon materials to deliver climate resilience more sustainably.