RSE’s Ultra Low Carbon TMB™ Achieves LPCB Certification  

In a bid to achieve a zero-carbon emissions future and to reduce the embodied carbon associated with our solutions, RSE has been developing an innovative m-EcoBuilding TMB™ (Timber Modular Build) that is redefining sustainability and innovation in the water industry.

In partnership with Ecosystems Technologies, our engineers have redesigned a complete modular timber enclosure featuring a hybrid structure of cross-laminated and glue-laminated timber to replace traditional fabrication materials. The modular system reduces embodied carbon by over 74% and exceeds fire resistance regulations. The TMB ™ has also recently secured LPCB certification for SR2 & SR3 rated options to be included in the product range.

The TMB ™ replaces traditional materials (that includes enclosures that are manufactured predominately from GRP with an embodied carbon value of 8.1 kgCO_2e/kg) with a structure that is predominantly mass timber that has an embodied carbon of 0.45kgCO2e/kg.

RSE’s focus on leading transformation in the industry led to a key partnership with Ecosystems Technologies, known for its innovative approach to harnessing the potential of homegrown timber and enhancing engineering and fabrication capabilities.

This partnership underpins a shared commitment to combining engineering solutions with fabrication, with an emphasis on modular and offsite build methods. Together, the aim was to develop a robust, innovative, and sustainable product that forms a critical part of national infrastructure.

The Vision Behind the TMB™

Traditional materials used in the fabrication process accounted for a significant portion of the product’s embodied carbon, ranging from 65% to 92%.

Gary Callachan, Business Development Lead at RSE, shares his insights on the TMB’s™ impact, the challenges faced, and the future potential of this groundbreaking product.

Gary: “When we first set out, our goal was to design a product to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly modular solutions and to understand the embodied carbon emissions of our existing products. The team therefore conducted Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of our existing chemical dosing kiosks, which revealed that the traditional materials used in the fabrication process accounted for a significant portion of the product’s embodied carbon, ranging from 65% to 92%.

As a result, we invested in the research and development of alternative materials that could maximise carbon reduction. Our analysis included collaborating closely with leading institutions like Built Environment-Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), who focus on accelerating the transition to a more sustainable built environment.”

Breaking Boundaries

Gary: ” RSE’s TMB™ solution reduces construction schedules, enhances quality, provides greater cost certainty and has a positive impact on the environment.
With a projected need for 1200 to 1500 units, our aim is to standardise the TMB™ and optimise production to meet this significant demand.

At RSE, we have a further vision to extend the applications of the TMB™ to revolutionise the way we fabricate and house Motor Control Centres (MCC), pumping stations and other wastewater treatment plant infrastructure”.

Stakeholder Collaboration

The journey from concept to reality for the TMB™ has been a significant learning curve. Gary highlights the crucial lessons learned, challenges, collaboration and client engagement that have been instrumental in delivering the TMB™.

Gary: “Collaboration amongst the RSE team and our partnership with Ecosystems Technologies was crucial. The TMB’s ™ innovation presented its challenges, particularly in areas such as fire risk and product longevity. Addressing these concerns head-on, we worked with Ecosystems Technologies to demonstrate that well-engineered mass timber even surpasses the fire resistance of equivalent steel framed and predominately GRP structures.  

Steered by Structural Timber Association (STA) guidance and developed in collaboration with BE-ST, Edinburgh Napier University, the University of Edinburgh, and BRE, the fire safety of the TMB™ has been rigorously validated, certifying its fire resistance performance at an impressive 78 minutes ‘performance integrity’. The TMB™ panels also meet and exceed the 30 and 60-minute tests, surpassing expectations and building regulations for fire resistance.

We’ve also been able to address client concerns about longevity by offering an assured life expectancy. The TMB™ confidently meets and exceeds the 25-year design life of traditional plastic kiosks, and unlike traditional kiosks that end up in landfill, the TMB™ can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle, reinforcing its circular economy credentials”.

Exceeding Expectations

By using timber sequestered from our client’s forestry, we achieved over 100% offset efficiency.

Gary Callachan

Gary explains how the timber sourced from Scottish Water’s carbon offset forestry has exceeded the carbon reduction expectations of the TMB™.

Gary: ” One surprising outcome was the extent of the carbon offset. By using timber sequestered from our client’s forestry, we achieved over 100% offset efficiency. This is due to the fact that the sequestered carbon can be claimed from the entire lifecycle of the trees as they grow. This has been a game-changer for the development of the TMB™ as compared to GRP, timber offers faster production times and a significantly lower carbon footprint”.

Disrupting the Industry

As a revolutionary modular enclosure solution, Gary discusses how the TMB’s™ unique features positions RSE at the forefront of product innovation within the water industry.

Gary: “Being the first to market this product ensures that RSE is not only meeting current client needs, but shaping the future of the water industry with faster and greener solutions. RSE has recently been shortlisted for the Gamechanger Award, as part of the BE-ST Accelerate to Zero Awards which will be announced in November 2024, which highlights the TMB™ as a pioneering product in the sustainability space.

Future Innovations

As RSE continues to lead and invest in modular, low-carbon solutions, the TMB™ stands as a prime example of how innovation can drive both environmental and market impact.

With plans to expand and integrate additional equipment, the TMB™ is set to have a further influence on the water industry.

Gary: “We’re looking at expanding our modular solutions across the UK water authorities and exploring new applications. The future for RSE revolves around scaling up and innovating our products and solutions to meet growing sustainable demand.

Our CEO, Stephen Slessor, is keen for RSE to address the challenges facing the UK water sector by offering pioneering products and solutions like the TMB ™ that will have real environmental benefits and represent a significant step towards a greener and more efficient water industry”.