Sugarcrete sets new safety benchmark with dramatic fire test

A low-carbon building material developed by the University of East London (UEL) has set a new benchmark in fire resistance after surviving one of the construction industry’s toughest safety trials - opening the door for its use in high-risk and safety-critical building applications.

Sugarcrete®, developed from sugarcane by-product bagasse and sand-mineral binders, is designed as an alternative to traditional bricks and concrete blocks, offering a carbon footprint around six times smaller than conventional clay brick while delivering high performance in use. 

In recent full-scale fire testing at AFITI Laboratories in Spain, walls made from Sugarcrete® were exposed to internal temperatures of 1,100°C inside the kiln chamber, while the external face remained at just 26°C. The trial ran for a full 240 minutes - four hours - with the material maintaining its integrity throughout. Independent assessors confirmed Sugarcrete® achieved an EI 240 rating (placing it among the highest-performing materials for sustained fire resistance) in line with EN 13501-2:2023, meaning it successfully prevented fire penetration (E) and restricted heat transfer (I) for the duration of the test. 

This performance outstrips standard clay brick and concrete block walls and matches specialist fire partition systems used in the highest-risk environments.

The result means Sugarcrete®, developed by researchers at UEL’s world-leading Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), is now a viable option for safety-critical uses, including industrial fire walls, protected escape routes, data centres and petrochemical environments. 

Already recognised for its sustainability credentials, Sugarcrete® offers the construction sector a route to reduce embodied carbon without compromising on safety or durability. These latest findings show that the material can deliver uncompromising performance where it matters most.

Alan Chandler, co-creator of Sugarcrete® and UEL SRI Associate, said, 

This is a defining moment. To hold back fire at over 1,000 degrees for four hours proves Sugarcrete® is not only sustainable, but also safe and resilient enough for the most demanding environments.” 

View our Sugarcrete® Blocks achieve EI240 Fire Resistance Classification video to learn more.