KTP Associate in Sustainable Cementitious Materials

Engineering, Materials, Sustainability, Chemical Engineering

• Characterising Filter Cake Clay (FCC) to determine its mineralogical and chemical composition for suitability as a Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM) in blended cements using techniques including (but not limited to) laser diffractometry, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, scanning or transmission electron microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques.
• Develop and optimise thermal activation and grinding processes (or a combination of these processes) to enhance FCC reactivity for use as SCMs in low-carbon concrete.
• Determination of the mechanical strength (e.g. compressive, flexural and tensile) and transport properties (e.g. porosity) of pastes/mortars/concretes
• Design and conduct concrete mix trials incorporating FCC-based SCM, assessing strength, durability performance, and dimensional stability of activated FCC-based concrete against industry standards.
• Perform environmental and sustainability assessments, including Life Cycle Analysis and preparation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
• Create manufacturing protocols and compliance documentation to support commercialisation and certification of FCC-based SCM.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer within the company, delivering training, workshops, and standard operating procedures to embed new processes.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research results by publication in leading peer-reviewed journals and by presentation at national and international meetings

To transform Construction, Demolition and Excavation waste into a low-carbon Supplementary Cementitious Material by developing processing routes for excavated Filter Cake Clay from a Yorkshire-based Wash Plant. This cement alternative will reduce concrete's carbon footprint, divert landfill waste, and support sustainable construction through decarbonisation, improved material performance and higher-value applications.

Mone Brothers is a well-established UK civil engineering, demolition, and earthworks contractor with a strong reputation for delivering complex infrastructure projects. Founded in the 1970s and headquartered in Leeds, the company has grown from a family-run business into a major regional contractor operating across the North of England and beyond. It is particularly recognised for its expertise in large-scale earthmoving, bulk excavation, land remediation, and demolition works, supporting highways, rail, commercial, and residential developments.

The company operates an extensive fleet of modern plant and equipment, enabling it to self-deliver projects efficiently while maintaining control over quality, safety, and programme. Its core services include demolition and site clearance, cut-and-fill earthworks, soil stabilisation, remediation of contaminated land, and enabling works.

Health, safety, and environmental responsibility are central to Mone Brothers' operations, with strong emphasis on workforce training, risk management, and sustainable practices such as material recycling. Despite its growth, the business retains a family-owned ethos, combining practical management with long-standing industry experience.