Bellway leads the way in use of pioneering net zero asphalt at County Durham development

A pioneering net zero asphalt has been installed at a new Bellway housing development in what is a world-first for the industry.

Asphalt containing ACLA®, a carbon-negative, aggregate-like additive created by Durham-based company Low Carbon Materials, was laid in a section of road at Monument Meadows in Pelton on Thursday 15 October.

ACLA is a biochar mineral matrix. The biochar holds carbon in a stable form, while the matrix absorbs carbon dioxide and locks it into the material. Every tonne of ACLA used permanently removes 798kg of CO2e, verified through a third-party Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

ACLA is handled like a conventional aggregate, replacing some of the aggregate in the asphalt mix, and goes into standard asphalt plant with no new machinery needed. It has been widely tried and tested on highways across County Durham, but this is the first time it has been used within a new residential housing development.

Bellway has been working with Low Carbon Materials on this project for the past two years as part of its Climate Transition Plan.

Simon Park, Head of Sustainability for Bellway, said: “We are proud to be working with Low Carbon Materials on what is a world-first for a housing development.

“As a housebuilder based in the North East, we are particularly pleased to be partnering with a company which was founded by research scientists from Durham University, has its base in nearby Seaham – and has now provided net zero asphalt for a stretch of road within one of our developments in County Durham.

“Their ACLA additive is a pioneering product which has already been used for highway projects and locks away carbon with no compromise on the performance of the asphalt.

“Bellway has targeted reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 72 per cent by 2035, and Scope 3 emissions by 67 per cent. This partnership with Low Carbon Materials is a key part of us being ready to adopt future technologies as we move towards these targets and our 2045 net zero goal.”

Low Carbon Materials launched ACLA in March 2024 and the product has since been used in more than 50 projects, including trials with National Highways on the A64 and M11.

Lian Hutchings, Head of Growth at Low Carbon Materials, said: “This is the first time ACLA® has been laid on a new housing development. Thank you to Bellway for backing it. Every new development needs roads, and with ACLA® in the mix those roads lock carbon away. It goes into the asphalt like a conventional aggregate, so contractors don’t have to change the way they work.”

Bellway is building 79 new homes at Monument Meadows, with all being constructed using sustainably sourced timber frame panels. This approach is part of Bellway’s commitment to reducing carbon in the build process as well as reducing the time required for construction. The development features two, three and four-bedroom houses and bungalows.

The homes will also feature solar PV panels and smart heating technology to keep energy costs low and reduce residents’ carbon footprints. They will also have electric vehicle charging points to encourage greener travel.

To find out more about the use of ACLA in asphalt, visit https://www.lowcarbonmaterials.com/asphalt.

More information about Bellway’s long-term sustainability strategy can be found at https://www.bellwayplc.co.uk/sustainability.

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