Masonry blocks manufacturer Lignacite has reported a 40% increase in sales since the start of 2013.

Besides an upturn in construction activity, Brandon-based Lignacite attributes its success to consolidation in the supply chain and the carbon-negative nature of its blocks which incorporate a range of recycled and waste materials, including glass, wood particles, furnace ash, recycled concrete, china clay and shells.

Chairman Giles de Lotbiniere said: “There has been some consolidation in our market sector, and this, combined with our modern plants has boosted our sales.

“We have short lead times and can quickly adapt to the market and a number of delayed building projects have now been restarted. Our innovation and forward thinking also mean we are able to provide carbon negative products, such as The Carbon Buster. This meets and exceeds existing building codes and these are becoming increasingly important to customers.”

The Carbon Buster incorporates more than 50% recycled aggregates which are combined with Carbon8’s carbonated aggregates derived from by-products from waste to energy plants.

The result is a high performing masonry product, and the first ever building block, which has captured more carbon dioxide than is emitted during its manufacture.

Lignacite has purpose-built manufacturing plants at Brandon and at Nazeing in Essex. They are fully automated and have a combined production capacity of 21 million blocks a year.

The modern plants, recycled content and sourcing of aggregates from the company’s own quarry all help to minimise the carbon footprint of Lignacite’s products which These have been supplied to many high-profile buildings in the UK, including the Olympic Stadium, The Shard, Heathrow Airport and the Gherkin.

In line with the latest Construction Trade Survey, published last month by the Construction Products Association, private housing was one of the key contributors to the improving workloads. However, Lignacite is also achieveing growth from the education and health sectors, as well as office developments.