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An innovative trial to help reduce the carbon footprint of major improvement projects is being spearheaded by our new UK infrastructure company YTL Construction.
The use of 'soil stabilisation' at Leyhill water recycling centre in South Gloucestershire is expected to be the first of many projects to explore new technologies and processes, and if successful, could pave the way for use in future similar schemes.
It's hoped the trial of the alternative and greener approach, which is helping to prepare foundations at the rural site, will lead to major carbon and cost savings benefits.
YTL Construction is carrying out a two-year £7 million refit at the Wessex Water centre, installing new equipment and processes to improve water quality and the environment and ensure it keeps pace with regulated industry standards.
Soil stabilisation is a process that enhances the properties and structure of soil that, without treatment, would not be suitable for construction, to create a solid foundation.
Project Manager Lev Bayraktar explained: “By adding lime, cement, or other stabilising agents to alter the soil's physical and chemical properties, we’ve been able to improve its strength and load-bearing capacity, and durability to provide a base for our upgrades at Leyhill.
"This means we can make use of materials already at the site, removing the need for expensive imported materials, excavation and disposal costs, and importantly, the associated carbon emissions."
The switch from conventional methods, like pouring concrete, to soil stabilisation has led to an estimated 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, totalling 15,393kg CO2e - that’s the same as approximately seven flights from Bristol to Tokyo and an estimated cost saving of £130,000.
The now stabilised soil, which has also helped save time on the overall project, will act as the foundation for a new moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), motor control centre (MCC), standby generator and an off-site build monitoring kiosk as part of the water treatment process.
YTL Construction, along with Wessex Water’s Civils and M&E teams, is expecting to deliver the scheme by spring 2026.
