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K-BRIQ: The Brick That's Changing the Face of Sustainable Construction

28/05/2025 | 4 min read

K-BRIQ, developed by Kenoteq, is an innovative brick made from nearly 100% recycled construction waste, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional bricks. It reduces embodied carbon by up to 95% and eliminates energy-intensive firing processes, using only 10% of the energy required for conventional brick production. With superior insulation properties and certifications in the UK and US, K-BRIQ is already transforming projects like the National Retrofit Centre in Glasgow, recycling significant waste and cutting CO2 emissions. Despite challenges like industry resistance and initial costs, its scalability and alignment with circular economy principles position K-BRIQ as a key player in sustainable construction.

The Environmental Challenge of Construction

The construction industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, with 11% stemming from the production of materials like cement, steel, and bricks (IEA Global Status Report). Traditional brick manufacturing, which involves firing clay at high temperatures, is particularly energy-intensive, emitting around 570 grams of CO2 per brick. Additionally, construction and demolition generate significant waste, much of which ends up in landfills. Addressing these issues requires innovative materials that reduce both emissions and waste.

Introducing K-BRIQ

K-BRIQ, developed by Kenoteq, a spin-off from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, is a revolutionary brick designed to tackle these challenges. Founded by Professor Gabriela Medero, Kenoteq spent over a decade researching sustainable building materials before launching the K-BRIQ in 2020 (Dezeen). Made from nearly 100% recycled construction waste, including rubble, old bricks, mortar, and plasterboard, K-BRIQ uses hydraulic compression instead of firing, requiring only 10% of the energy of traditional brick production. This results in a brick with less than 5% of the embodied carbon of a standard clay brick, approximately 20 grams of CO2 per unit.

Environmental and Practical Benefits

K-BRIQ’s environmental advantages are substantial. By using recycled materials, it diverts waste from landfills, with a square meter of K-BRIQ incorporating 126 kilograms of recycled waste (Cundall). The elimination of firing reduces energy consumption by 90%, and the brick’s low embodied carbon—95% less than traditional bricks—makes it a leader in sustainable construction. Its production process is fully circular, as K-BRIQs are recyclable and reusable, supporting a circular economy.

Beyond sustainability, K-BRIQ offers practical benefits. It matches the weight and appearance of traditional bricks, making it a seamless substitute in construction projects. Its superior insulation properties enhance energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs. Available in various colors, K-BRIQ is suitable for both interior and exterior applications, with certifications in the UK (BBA Agrement Certificate 25/7367) and the US (DrJ Certificate TER 2404-10).

Real-World Applications

K-BRIQ has been implemented in several projects, demonstrating its viability and impact:

  • National Retrofit Centre, Glasgow, UK: Recycled 6.3 tonnes of waste, saving 1.3 tonnes of CO2.

  • Oakland College Construction Centre, St Albans, UK: Recycled 4.2 tonnes of waste, saving 0.88 tonnes of CO2.

  • Hampton Court Garden 2025: Recycled 9.45 tonnes of waste, saving 1.97 tonnes of CO2.

These projects highlight K-BRIQ’s ability to reduce waste and emissions in real-world settings, contributing to a more sustainable construction industry.

Recognition and Industry Impact

K-BRIQ has received significant recognition, including the 2019 Scottish Resources Awards innovation award. The Dezeen Design Awards 2022 jury praised it as “an opportunity to have an impact at scale, a thorn in the side of an industry that is largely static and crying out for disruptors” (Kenoteq). Its alignment with global sustainability goals, such as those outlined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), positions it as a key player in the transition to a net-zero future.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While K-BRIQ is promising, challenges remain. The construction industry’s resistance to new materials and potential cost barriers could hinder adoption. However, Kenoteq’s collaborations with waste management partners and plans for an Environmental Product Declaration in 2025 address these issues. The ability to produce K-BRIQs in just 24 hours enhances scalability, and growing demand for sustainable materials suggests a bright future.

K-BRIQ is a transformative innovation in sustainable construction, addressing the industry’s significant environmental footprint. By reducing embodied carbon by 95% and diverting waste from landfills, it offers a practical and scalable solution. As the global building stock is expected to double by 2050, materials like K-BRIQ will be critical for achieving a net-zero future, making it a cornerstone of sustainable construction.