Encos Ltd - Sustainable construction: carbon-negative bricks and brick slips win a place at the Ecobuild 2012 Innovation Future Zone

13 Mar 2012

Carbon negative bricks and brick slips developed by Encos Ltd have been chosen as one of 25 finalists in the Innovation Future Zone Competition, and the company has won display space in the Innovation Future Zone stand N530 at Ecobuild 2012. Ecobuild 2012 will take place on 20-22 March at ExCeL exhibition and conference centre in London.

The competition, sponsored jointly by The Knowledge Transfer Network for the Modern Built Environment, Marks & Spencer, The Technology Strategy Board, The Green Building Council, was designed to identify and highlight new technologies and products needed to meet the challenges of achieving 0% construction waste to landfill; increasing the use of recycled content in construction materials; and achieving improvements in energy and water reduction and efficiency. Each of the finalists was chosen on the basis of their potential to shape tomorrow’s built environment. The winning entry will be given the opportunity to be included in one of Marks & Spencer’s Sustainable Learning Stores.

Mark Nichols, CEO of Encos Ltd said: “We are delighted to have won the opportunity to exhibit, demonstrate and discuss the properties of our carbon-negative bricks and brick slips in the Innovation Future Zone at Ecobuild 2012. Because we are close to coming to market , the timing is ideal to explain to delegates how our products can help improve the sustainability performance of new builds and in refurbishing properties.”

Notes to Editors

For more information or to obtain pictures, please contact:

Mark Nichols, Chief Executive Officer, Encos Limited; +44-(0)845 519 6052; mark.nichols@encosltd.com

Nina Morgan, Press Officer, Encos Limited; +44- (0)1608 676530; press@encosltd.com

The Encos process

Encos bricks and brick slips, which will be marketed as Encobricks and Encoslips, are made from a combination of recovered aggregates and vegetable-oil-based binders. They are manufactured using a patented method which is based on research originally carried out at the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds by Dr John Forth into the use of alternative binders in construction materials. The process consumes no water, and produces no waste.

Prototype products manufactured at the Encos laboratory and pilot plant have passed standard industry tests including fire, freeze-thaw and compressive strength. They are currently undergoing further testing including accelerated aging at BRE. The products, which have a very attractive appearance, have been used successfully in the construction of a number of ‘test walls’ including one that was previously on displayed at Poundbury, the urban development project built on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

Environmental impact

Traditional clay bricks and brick slips are not very environmentally friendly. Because of the relatively high levels of energy needed to convert raw materials into finished products, the equivalent of approximately 240 kg of carbon dioxide is emitted during the manufacture of 1 ton of clay bricks. A third party report produced by Best Foot Forward Ltd estimates that Encos process has the capacity to produce carbon negative bricks and brick slips.

Encos Ltd

Encos Ltd was founded in 2007 as a spin-out from the University of Leeds to exploit research carried out by Dr John Forth of the Department of Civil Engineering into the use of alternative binders in construction materials. The Company has developed a unique patented process for producing fully sustainable construction products. The process which consumes no water and produces no waste enables the manufacture of carbon-negative bricks and brick slips. Encos’ founding and current principal investor is IP Group plc who are listed on the London Stock Exchange (see below).

www.encosltd.com

IP Group

IP Group is a leading UK intellectual property ("IP") commercialisation company, developing technology innovations primarily from its research intensive partner universities. The Group offers more than traditional venture capital, providing its companies with access to business building expertise, networks, recruitment and business support.

Founded in 2001, IP Group listed on AIM in October 2003 and moved to the Official List in June 2006. The Group now has long-term partnerships with twelve core universities including those under its commercialisation agreement with Fusion IP plc.

www.ipgroupplc.com

Ecobuild 2012

Ecobuild 2012 takes place on 20-22 March 2012 at the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre at the heart of the new Green Enterprise District in London’s Docklands. It is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK’s largest construction event of any kind. Encos will be exhibiting on stand N530.

www.ecobuild.co.uk