12 November 2026

Recently, Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh were awarded £1.2M to develop bio-based technologies to replace CO2-heavy concrete binder in a project named BioMASH-CON. 

The binder in concrete is currently responsible for 7–8% of global annual CO₂ emissions. The idea behind the project is to use bio-engineering technology to replace traditional concrete binder with a more environmentally-friendly binder material using fine incinerator ash (IBAA). Municipal solid waste incineration generates more than 3 million tonnes of ash in the UK alone each year, so the potential is considerable. As market leader in the UK in terms of IBA processing, Blue Phoenix has an important role to play in supporting the project with know-how and delivering refined material for the future binder. 

Sarah Lakin Uk Manager Mobile Plant at Blue Phoenix explains: 

“At Blue Phoenix, we have long recognised the untapped potential of fine incinerator ash as a valuable resource for both metals recovery and low-carbon construction materials. We are therefore delighted to support the BioMASH-CON project, which builds on a vision we have been actively championing across industry and academia: transforming a challenging residual waste stream into a circular, high-value product.

By bringing together world-leading expertise in engineering biology, resource recovery and concrete technology, this collaboration has the potential to unlock new pathways for recovering critical materials while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of construction. We believe projects like BioMASH-CON are essential to closing the loop on municipal waste, advancing the circular economy and helping the UK achieve its sustainability ambitions.”

Apart from hopefully creating a less CO2-heavy concrete binder, the other important aim of the project is to also extract more fine metals from the IBAA using biotechnology, making it an even safer material to use in construction.    

The project is funded through the EPSRC and Defra Research to Advance UK Recycling Capabilities programme and in close collaboration with industry partners Blue Phoenix, FCC Environment, Veolia and Concrete Scotland. 

Read the full project press release here: Link