Cemex UK launches a new environmentally-friendly concrete brick

A new concrete brick, Readybrick, has been launched by building materials supplier, Cemex UK. Readybricks are made of the same materials and complements Cemex blocks. This new product will provide a solution to the growing pressure in the construction industry for blocks and bricks, when used together, to be made of the same materials.

Readybricks can be delivered with blocks in mixed loads, which can reduce the builders merchant’s stock footprint and, therefore, release capital that may otherwise be tied up in stock held in the yard.

One of the raw materials going into Readybrick is quarry dust, which would potentially go to landfill, making ReadyBrick an environmentally friendly choice. Bypass dust is used at a rate of 10% by weight of cement.

This initiative supports Cemex's resource efficiency measures and as a net user of waste, the company uses around 60 times more waste and byproducts in processes than is sent to landfill.

The new bricks are being produced at three Cemex production sites in West Calder in West Lothian, Buxton in Derbyshire and Northfleet in Kent, and are made to two strengths,10N and 22N, in standard brick size.

This type of brick is known as a spacer or coursing brick and is suitable for areas and surfaces where the brick will not be seen and requires plastering or rendering. They are used for infill above doors and windows, coursing at floor and ceiling level as well as making up between joists.

Sales of ReadyBrick have started extremely well, already surpassing the target set, indicative of the growing market in house building. Interest continues to grow from many customers across the UK from national builders merchants, buying group members to independent members.

“Cemex strives to be the best supplier to its customers and is constantly adapting to market conditions to better respond to its needs,” said Jesús González, Cemex President in the UK. “With Readybrick, we are providing value to our customers by offering a sustainable and environmentally-friendly building solution that is available immediately.”

In the fourth quarter of 2013, Cemex reported a 5% increase in net sales for its operations in Northern Europe. The residential sector was one of the main drivers of demand in the United Kingdom, supported by low mortgage rates and low unemployment.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/product-news/28032014/cemex_uk_launches_readybrick_32/