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Products & Manufacturing
The products for masonry construction are locally available through established local suppliers or direct from the many manufacturers.
Concrete blocks can either be aircrete or aggregate. These have different manufacturing processes that result in different densities and properties. Manufacturers of aircrete and aggregate blocks can be found through their product specialist committess: Aircrete Blocks and Concrete Blocks.
Bricks and other clay products are also universally available and locally manufactured in the UK, see Brick Development Association.
Masonry walls rely on more than bricks/blocks and mortar. Much of the innovation has come from developments in the ancillary products such as wall ties, insulation, lintels, cavity closures.
Aggregate blocks cover a wide spectrum of solid, cellular (void does not go fully through block) and hollow...
Aircrete (aerated) blocks are the lightest of the family of concrete blocks and correspondingly have the highest insulation value, making them a popular choice for both internal walls and in foundations.
They are used in structural applications for low-rise construction, as components of curtain walling in higher buildings and for partitions.
About three quarters of all mortars used in the UK today come from factory-produced sources as opposed to being mixed on site...
ECO2 is the embodied carbon dioxide associated with manufacture of the product and it’s constituents. It is only one part of whole-life CO2 impact.
Local manufacturing of masonry products and local sourcing of raw materials means that there is a good chain of custody...
There are significant volumes of by-product materials such as ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash that can act as part of the cementitious binder in concrete and masonry.
The masonry resource efficiency action plan (REAP) was introduced in 2013 to help improve resource efficiency across the supply chain and support coordination with the downstream supply chain.
The production industry has responded to the sustainability agenda with tangible improvements in processes and use of constituent materials. Furthermore improvements to minimise environmental impacts, and deliver economic and social benefits pre dated the sustainability agenda.
About MPA Masonry
MPA Masonry is the industry body that represents the manufacturers of concrete blocks. MPA Masonry also provides information to housing developers, designers, housebuilders, end-users and occupants to enable them to understand the benefits of masonry construction and how masonry contributes to a sustainable built environment. MPA Masonry is part of the Mineral Products Association.
MPA Masonry’s members manufacture aircrete products, dense and lightweight concrete blocks, and mortars.
Follow us on Twitter @MPA_Masonry and
Linkedin MPA Masonry
To join MPA Masonry
If you are interested in joining MPA Masonry, contact us via telephone: +44 (0) 116 232 5170 or email: masonry@mineralproducts.org