Major award for UEL bioconcrete partnership

A University of East London partnership with a start-up, Biozeroc and Maplex Technology has been awarded a prestigious Innovate UK grant of £815,000 for a project that aims to replace carbon-intensive cement with a bacteria-based material.  

The competition for such awards, from the UK’s national innovation agency, is fierce and Biozeroc says the grant is a crucial step towards scaling up production of the concrete replacement. The project will use a novel technique to “grow” the new binder using biotech and existing materials. 

Liv Andersson, CEO of Biozeroc, welcomed the Innovate UK grant and the partnership. She said,

We are thrilled to collaborate with Maplex Technology and the University of East London on this ground-breaking project. Our joint efforts aim to transform the construction industry by integrating bio-based materials into concrete manufacturing. Together, we will pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future."  

The start-up says the project represents a significant step towards the UK’s ‘net-zero’ carbon goals, with concrete production accounting for 8% of all global emissions. It aims to pioneer a process which integrates bio-based materials into concrete manufacturing, using secondary products from other industries to reduce waste and minimise the environmental impact of the construction industry. The new process will also use less water than conventional concrete production. 

The Dean of UEL’s School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, Professor David Tann highlighted the project’s alignment to the University’s sustainability goals. He said, “UEL has a goal of achieving a carbon-neutral campus by 2030. We are thrilled to commence this pioneering project with confidence that it will yield innovative outcomes with far-reaching environmental benefits.” 

Dr Ali Abbas, UEL Associate Professor of Engineering and Construction, said the University’s civil engineering laboratories were the perfect place to conduct the research for the project. He said, “The Department of Engineering and Construction is known for its work on bacteria-based self-healing concrete research and plays a leading role in driving positive change in the industry. UEL researchers’ expertise and laboratory facilities, especially in the area of low-carbon concrete and sustainable construction materials will be vital for the success of this endeavour.” 

To further accelerate the product’s route to market, Biozeroc is raising more investment over the coming months. The project has already won the backing of industry leaders Aggregate Industries, Ibstock Futures, Breedon and Buro Happold, with their expertise and resources expected to play a crucial role in the implementation and validation of the bioconcrete manufacturing process. 

About Innovate UK: 
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. They provide targeted sectors with expertise, facilities and funding to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth. 
 
Read more about Innovate UK.