Low Carbon Materials' Co-Founders named in Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list

In the recently published Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list, two of the Low Carbon Materials (LCM) Co-founders, Dr Natasha Boulding and Scott Bush, were recognised in the Manufacturing and Industry category

Those listed in this category have been recognised for transforming their respective industries by 'creating the products, methods and materials of tomorrow'.

Forbes highlighted our work developing carbon-zero and carbon-negative materials for the construction industry. They emphasised LCM's successes since raising over $2 million in a funding in a round led by the Green Angel Syndicate. Highlights include winning numerous awards, and being a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the 'Fix our Climate' category.

You can learn more about our journey here. 

We're honoured to have been recognised for the contribution of our Co-Founders. Natasha and Scott and our third Co-Founder Phil Buckley. Starting as three academic materials scientists, they set out on a mission to decarbonise the construction sector through materials innovation.

Discussing the announcement, Natasha commented:

"It's an incredible feeling to be recognised by Forbes for our work with Low Carbon Materials. It's a testament to the hard work, innovation, and dedication of our team to create sustainable solutions for a better future. This recognition is not only a validation of our efforts but also a call to action to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We believe that by working together and harnessing the power of technology, we can make a real difference in combating climate change and creating a more sustainable world for generations to come. Thank you, Forbes, for this amazing honour and for shining a light on the importance of low-carbon materials." - Natasha Boulding (CEO & Co-Founder)

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How is the construction industry becoming more sustainable as a whole?

Construction makes up 39% of global energy related emissions (Chatham House 2018). However, there is a clear momentum towards sustainable innovation in the construction sector. For example: 

1. In 2021, McKinsey & Company asked 100 senior construction executives what trends they expected to accelerate due to the COVID-19 crisis.  53% cited sustainability.
2. Organisations like the World Green Building Council have included whole life assessments in their net zero roadmap. This is a more thorough framework for understanding the built environment impact, working to reduce emissions from across the construction supply chain to a building’s end of life.
3. International materials manufacturers like Holcim are putting sustainability at the heart of their ongoing strategy by championing concrete innovation and measuring impact.

By recognising these issues, the industry is investing in new, more sustainable and better-quality materials. 

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What's next for LCM? 

The next step is launching OSTO® to the market. 

OSTO is the carbon-negative lightweight aggregate for carbon-zero blockwork. 

It is 2.5 x lighter than traditional mineral aggregates, thermally insulating and carbon negative. 

Through innovative circular techniques, it is made from a combination of waste materials and by-products that couldn't otherwise be recycled. 

This combination means that this product offers a 100% reduction in embodied carbon, whilst the increased thermal insulation properties can reduce the operational carbon of the building once it's occupied.

Globally, OSTO has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2e.

As well as offering environmental benefits, the concrete blocks made with OSTO have a compressional strength of >7.3 N/mm2 and will conform with BS EN 771-3. It can be added to concrete mixes just as sand or gravel would traditionally be used.

If you would like to know more, email us at contact@lowcarbonmaterials.com