2023 Product Innovation of the Year

AssetScan

CC Informatics

AssetScan is an AI data interpretation product that can be used to identify and track defects and deterioration of aging structures. At present the AI has been proven on masonry and concrete structures, and is currently being expanded to include brickwork and cladding. AI has been commercially adopted by some UK infrastructure companies such as Welsh Water, and additionally has been awarded grants to assess applications within the Nuclear and Transport engineering sectors. It can be used to highlight defects on 3D digital twins, 2D engineering drawings, and in databases. Research and development since early 2022, especially in collaboration with our clients, has been instrumental in setting up the AI networks and training them to be useful on UK infrastructure. The company is currently growing to meet the needs of clients and expand the capabilities of the AI products.

Centech APA

Centaur Technologies

Centaur Technologies Limited is a British owned and managed specialist roofing company, focused on the development and supply of leading-edge liquid roofing systems; investing disproportionately into research and development to ensure liquids evolve with current technologies. We are one of the few manufacturers with all waterproofing products are designed and manufactured in the UK, having significantly upgrading our production capacities in the last year. This year we have released, Centech APA (Advanced Poly Acryl) in response to concerns raised with the health and safety implications of using PMMA’s. PMMA’s have not developed significantly since their arrival in the 1930’s. Generally highly flammable and in some instances explosive, PMMA’s are exposing installers and public to potential harm through outdated technology. We developed a non-flammable, low-odour, hardwearing and fast-curing membrane with technology trickling down into our other systems to make the industry a safer place for installers and clients alike.

Automated measurement of pre-coated chippings in HRA construction

Eurovia UK and Highway Data Systems

HDS and Eurovia UK have collaborated to bring a significant new technology to market that promises to dramatically improve the measurement of pre-coated chippings on hot rolled asphalt materials. HRA is a material in high-demand from UK local authorities but can be a difficult product to install, with the measurement of PCC spread rate presenting particular challenges around health & safety, efficiency, cost, and accuracy. HDS and Eurovia’s new automated thermal imaging system removes the danger associated around manual measurement and significantly increases the volume and accuracy of data collected. Applications of this technology are industry wide and will lead to an increase in pavement life, reductions in CO2, reductions in the cost of materials testing, and a safer working environment on the UK road construction network.

Flameless Generator

IPG Energy

IPG Energy has developed the only generator needed for the zero-carbon jobsite of the future. The IPG Flameless Generator delivers pollutant-free power from any fuel, enabling in particular those hard-to-abate sectors such as construction to replace their diesel generators, where a reliance on electrification is not always possible and where renewable fuel supplies are not currently reliable. Matching the affordability and reliability of the diesel generator, without the harmful emissions, the IPG Flameless Generator lets businesses switch to renewable fuels today, with the certainty of being able to use other renewable fuels, or indeed conventional fuels, as backup during the transition. The IPG Flameless Generator is a low-capex, truly cost-effective, scalable, and future-proofed solution for construction companies looking to replace their diesel generators at scale.

Deploying the zero-emission 'Enertainer'

Select Plant Hire and AMPD Energy

Having worked on optimising generators using flywheel technology (PUNCH), there was a realisation that greater benefit could be gained by using specialist batteries specifically on Tower Cranes. Select identified a supplier in Hong Kong with a suitable product and worked with them to make it CE compliant, and then brought the first products to the UK. Ampd Energy (an Earthshot Prize finalist) has pioneered the use of battery energy storage systems in urban construction, and partnered with Select Plant Hire to deploy Europe's first 'Enertainer' lithium-ion battery which is powering three cranes at London's Olympia Redevelopment construction project. First Enertainer outside of Asia with the following performance and savings: - Cost savings of circa £2,800 (CTL1600) - Zero pollutants - 32x quieter than the equivalent generator - Saved 40,000 litres of fuel to date - Embodied carbon offset in 3 months of use.

Concrete Recovery CBGM

Tarmac

Utilising a waste recovery product in a first of its kind application to drive down CO2, eliminate landfill waste and offer financial efficiencies, Tarmac has developed, trialled, and rolled out a new and sustainable material solution across the Concrete Roads Framework (CRF). 100% of all concrete arisings received by Tarmac through National Highway’s CRF are recycled into innovative cementitious products and used back on to the network where it was removed. Through an unwavering ambition to improve sustainability performance, our industry leading technical experts and operational teams collaborated with partners Sisk, National Highways and Aceom to develop a project specific CBGM product saving 35 tonnes of CO2e to date with a further projected 113 tonnes of CO2e on the A12 and setting a template for other framework partners and further schemes including the A14 which will save a further 59 tonnes of CO2e in the near future.

Pave Technology Solutions

Tarmac

Tarmac’s automated Pave Technology Solutions is a game-changer in construction, delivering digital planning, 3D modelling and low carbon solutions for automated road construction. Launched in November 2021, Pave offers solutions for everyday surfacing challenges, offering project teams real-time transparency across projects. Proven in trials across the UK, the technology has been continuously developed and is now being deployed on National Highways work across Tarmac’s business. This technology solutions in process and programme modelling is setting the blueprint for building better road surfaces and delivering the next generation of highways. 18 months on from launch. Tarmac is now building on this technology to utilise AI to break new boundaries in road management and maintenance.

Smart environmental site monitoring and digital community engagement

UBY

UBY is a new monitoring technology provider with a mission to make construction leaner, safer and more efficient. Furthermore, it is to improve and protect the wellbeing of residents that surround urban developments. We achieve this by being different. That is, we use AI enhanced sensors and patented algorithms and software to provide useful and actionable information in an easily understandable format. Feedback from Leonard Davoux, Bouygues UK (Hallsville Quarter Phase 3). "We were the first construction project in the UK to install UBY's smart noise sensors and within weeks we'd reduced the time spent on responding to resident complaints and sensor alerts. The technology totally changed and improved how we were able to respond and meant that we weren't wasting time trying to investigate and resolve each occurrence. This allows us to then get on with the main tasks in hand, which is critical on any major project".

Zip-Splice+

Zip-Clip

Zip-Splice+ is a new fixing system for prefabricated reinforcement pile cages that not only improves installation efficiency but most importantly improves safety for site workers who are habitually at risk of hand injuries. The new Zip-Clip system for prefabricated reinforcement pile cages was developed following collaboration between reinforcement fabricator ArcelorMittal Construction Solutions (AMCS), a member of the British Association of Reinforcement (BAR), and wire rope suspension and bracing specialists Zip-Clip. Zip-Splice+ is a heavy-duty splicing system purpose-designed for the joining of prefabricated piling reinforcement cages. It offers quick and easy installation and, fundamentally, eliminates the need for operatives to put their hands inside the cage during installation.