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Doors & windows manufacturer Jeld-Wen will be showcasing an extensive range of sustainable and energy efficient external joinery solutions at Ecobuild. The company will be demonstrating its new Hi Profile Combi window and its energy efficient doorsets to increase thermal efficiency.

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The Sumatec range of earth blocks by Lime Technology. has been launched as factory produced blocks. In a statement, Lime Technology said the earth blocks, which were originally designed to be site produced using the company's block press, will now be factory manufactured in order to cope with anticipated demand. The blocks are said to be produced from waste material and have low embodied energy.

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As part of a major refurbishment of Manchester's inner city centre, Hanson bricks have been used on Two Piccadilly Place, a 57,000 square foot multi-faceted development of a former brownfield site. Hanson's Albinoni and Midnight Blue bricks were specified to provide the calming effect needed to balance with the busy interchange of pedestrian and vehicular flow. This effect has been achieved by restricting the use of external materials to the Albinoni, a cream coloured smooth modular brick featuring capless glazing. This simple detailing uses a limited palette of building materials, further reflecting simplicity and restraint.

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Two bricks made using recycled material have been launched by Baggeridge Bricks. Kingsbury Smooth Cream and Classic Cream are manufactured using fireclay - a waste product generated from mining

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Terca is boosting production at its Todhills site in County Durham with a new range of bricks aimed at housebuilders. Incorporating the Whitburn Orange Multi, Runswick Red Multi, Saltburn Multi and Lynemouth Multi, the Bay range follows investment in new manufacturing equipment and technology at the factory. 'We are using a specialist technique to manufacture these nes products,' explained David Simpson, sales and marketing director for Terca. 'By reducing oxygen in the kiln during the firing process we can make the bricks more colourful and vibrant with flashes of blue, purple and grey'.

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In response to demand from the house building industry for sustainable products, Bradstone Structural has added Enviromasonry to its product portfolio. The products are said to enable the specifier to achieve the highest rating in sustainable construction without requiring any change in construction technique. Produced from secondary and recycled aggregates, and replacement cement, Enviromasonry is available in six colours and four finishes. Sizes are 440 x 215 x 100mm for the solid and 440 x 215 x 140mm for the cellular range. The products have an A certification from the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Profile scheme.

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Bradstone Structural has responded to the demand from the house building industry for sustainable products by extending its portfolio to include Environmasonry. The range of aggregate masonry has an 'A' certification from the Building Research Establishment's (BRE) Environmental Profiles Scheme. This allows architects and specifiers to design sustainable homes with confidence. Environmasonry provides a wide range of sustainable products to help specifiers achieve the highest rating in sustainable construction without changing construction technique, as specified in the Code for Sustainable Homes.

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Comedian Jasper Carrott has been inducted into Birmingham's Walk of Stars pavement trail with his name appearing on a second bespoke paving stone made by Charcon Specialist. The Croft-based pre-cast concrete manufacturer was commissioned to design and manufacture the Walk of Stars' commemorative paving stones by the Broad Street Business improvement District. The organisation is responsible for the city's entertainment and business district where the Walk of Stars is located. Jasper Carrott was presented with his star by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, councillor Randal Brew. The Midlands born comedian said: "To be presented with such an award by the people of the city where I was born and bred can only be regarded as the ultimate honour."

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CEMEX have supplied its ReadyBlock and ReadyPave block paving for the construction of the new Macalloy Bar and Cable Ltd, manufactures of threaded bar and cable components to the construction industry worldwide. A total of 8,000m² of ReadyBlock Standard and Close Textured blocks were used for internal wall construction.

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When the owner and developer of Point House in West Sussex wanted to give his dream property a roof to remember, he chose Keymer Tiles. To add the finishing touch, Gwilym Ashworth used Keymer’s hand made products to turn both the roof and exterior walls into eye catching features that really set the buildings apart. Traditional Elizabethan coloured plain tiles were used to give the roofs a classic look, while club-shaped Wealden Red ornamental tiles were hung around the main house in bands. In total, more than 40,000 Keymer products were used. Mr Ashworth said: 'I chose Keymer tiles because of the quality of its hand-made products, which truly look fantastic.'

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