Laing O’Rourke has started work on a project to decarbonise manufactured concrete components used in construction, after securing a grant to co-fund the work from the UK's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF).

The IETF, which is managed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), is designed to help businesses cut their energy usage and carbon emissions by investing in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.

The 'Decarbonising manufactured concrete' project involves a comprehensive study into carbon reduction at Laing O'Rourke's Centre of Excellence for Modern Construction in Steetley, Nottinghamshire. The facility, which employs 400 people, is Europe's most advanced construction products manufacturing facility and will play an integral role in the delivery of the company’s new global sustainability targets, which include achieving operational net zero by 2030 and becoming a net zero company before 2050.


Working in a consortium with experts from the University of Cambridge and the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Laing O'Rourke will investigate every facet of the production process, from the use of low carbon concrete, steel and aggregate materials and technologies, to the systems used to create formwork and cure products.

Dr Chris Millard, R&D Leader, Europe at Laing O'Rourke, said: "We are delighted to have secured this UK Government backing and are excited to have started work on the project. Advances in this area are essential to help reduce the carbon impact of the built environment, which accounts for 45% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. The project could also be a catalyst for the implementation of the Government’s Construction Playbook, which sets out policies to increase the use of manufacturing in construction, to boost productivity and deliver better, faster and greener public buildings and infrastructure. Our vision is to put any developments to work across our global business, and to share learnings that build on overall sustainability efforts across engineering and construction."