UNDO are tackling the detrimental effects of climate change using enhanced weathering removal, which is based on the natural weathering of rocks.
S Jones Containers were tasked with creating a fully containerised laboratory space that would enable the UNDO’s carbon team to expand their research capabilities on site.
About UNDO
UNDO, a sister company to The Future Forest Company, are fighting climate change by developing processes that reverse climate change and maximise the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. UNDO’s goal is to be the first company to remove 1 million tons of CO2, and remove a billion tonnes from our atmosphere by 2030.
The pioneering carbon dioxide removal process is achieved using innovative, nature-based technologies alongside cutting-edge, scientific research, such as enhanced weathering models that use rocks to absorb carbon. This nature-based technology is safe, effective, and beneficial to the environment.
UNDO also partners with local agricultural communities, work with companies to meet net zero commitments, and help individuals who want to make a difference using high-quality carbon credits.
The Challenge
In order to carry out soil tests at a forest site in Fauldhouse, Scotland, UNDO needed two bespoke laboratories to enable the team to conduct field research on the applications of basalt rock and its interactions with the soil. This research is fundamental to the understanding of both these carbon removal technologies in a real-world environment.
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With this in mind, UNDO needed a fully containerised solution that could be easily transported between different forest sites for a variety of sustainable research projects.
The Solution
S Jones Containers converted two 20ft shipping containers into transportable research laboratories for use in the field.
Both container units were fitted with lighting and electrical points, and finished with white melamine wall linings, sealed with a cap and coved floor, to provide a flush and easy clean surface.
The converted containers include plenty of built-in storage for the UNDO’s lab equipment, plus a sink with water heater so cleaning can be done effectively. An AC unit was also fitted to help maintain a regular temperature inside the containers so the research teams would have a comfortable working environment.
One of the new container laboratories was required for testing soil samples for metal. Because of this, the container in question could not have any metal materials used in its design as it could contaminate samples, so the conversions team used wood and plastic fixtures to ensure the customer’s brief was met.
What UNDO had to say
Rob Palmer, Head of Emerging Technology at UNDO, said: "To enable the work at UNDO to be scalable, it seemed like a natural choice to opt for containerised laboratories that could move around the country to whichever site we need it. As well as conducting our own research, we fund other environmental research projects so having a lab space that is portable means we can provide resources for third party teams to conduct their research too.
"Working with S Jones Containers on this project was a pleasure. The conversions team were enthusiastic about the project, and took the time to understand our specific needs for the units, such as a metal free interior for one lab. They were flexible to our requests and produced two functional lab spaces for our team to carry out vital sustainability testing for years to come."
Andrew Capella, Conversions General Manager at S Jones Containers, said: "Converted shipping containers are well suited for remote scientific projects and industrial facilities. Not only do they offer flexibility in regards to design, but they are sturdy and can be transported between sites. A bricks and mortar building doesn’t offer much in the way of flexibility, and it certainly can’t be moved around, so containerising a lab makes perfect sense for researchers out in the field.
"It's great to see the work that UNDO does to help save the planet, and the S Jones conversions team are proud to have been able to contribute to its research efforts with our bespoke container laboratories."
To find out more about developing portable laboratories for field testing visit: www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/container-conversions.
