Qatar, UK firm launch ‘sustainable’ building blocks
The ‘Smart Block’ is set to improve sustainability and foster green construction in the region
UK transport and mobility firm TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) and Qatar’s Ministry of Municipalities and Environment (MME) have announced the launch of VegeBlock, a new building block designed to help increase sustainability across the country’s construction segment.
The launch of VegeBlock, also known as ‘Smart Block’, represents the latest stage in an ongoing programme of collaborative work between Qatar’s MME and TRL to improve the sustainability and adoption of green construction in the region, a ministry press statement said.
Previous projects have focused on the use of locally available recycled and secondary aggregates in place of imported primary aggregate. The blocks have been developed from small scale samples produced in laboratories to full-size building blocks using materials and techniques specifically suited to the region.
Composed entirely of recycled aggregates, VegeBlock is manufactured in a similar way to conventional concrete blocks, except that they are cured at higher temperatures for longer periods. The product has similar properties to low strength concrete and is suitable for use as non-load bearing blocks in buildings.
By using recycled materials and avoiding the use of cement, the cost of production and the carbon footprint of VegeBlock will be significantly lower than that of conventional concrete blocks being used.
VegeBlock contributes to sustainable development and the implementation of the green construction concept through the re-use of materials that might otherwise be disposed of as waste and avoiding the import of the aggregates and cement that are used in conventional concrete building blocks.
These blocks have strength and durability properties similar to non-load bearing concrete blocks but do not require the use of cement, water or imported aggregates, the statement said.
