We are thrilled to have earth4Earth rooted within our community here at Sheffield Technology Parks (STP). This pioneering company is combining historic Chinese building techniques and cutting edge scientific research, offering a sustainable alternative to carbon emitting construction materials.

A groundbreaking brick. 

earth4Earth is tackling the global construction industry’s significant carbon emissions brick by brick. With international housing demands rising, the Sheffield-based company  wants to decarbonise the construction industry and mitigate climate change through earth-based building materials.

earth4Earth is on a mission to help the construction industry achieve positive change. Where, traditionally, there has been some reluctance, the company wants to work together with this powerful global industry, towards net zero.

The bricks are inspired by a traditional Chinese building method: Fujian Tulou which uses rammed earth and natural materials to create buildings that have stood for hundreds of years. earth4Earth has combined this technique with its own unique lime-based binder technology to create bricks that capture and permanently store carbon.

Whatsmore, at the end of the brick’s lifetime they are 100% recyclable and can be returned to the earth for crop growth.

Why Sheffield?

earth4Earth began researching at both the University of Sheffield and at Huaqiao University in China, before developing the company they are now. Their research and development laboratory is at STP. Anna Simmons, earth4Earth’s support manager, and Cecilia Pesce, the Regional Director and principle researcher, commented that they ‘have found STP to be an incredibly supportive and nurturing place.’ 

earth4Earth’s team is growing at STP, as the company prepares to transfer brick production over to the UK by the end of 2026. Already, the team has dramatically improved production methods, enabling them to deliver a batch of 8,000 bricks for a pilot project in Manchester. Now, Anna, Cecilia and team have their sights set on an ambitious goal: to deliver 100,000 bricks by the end of 2025. 

Anna and Cecilia explained that through STP they ‘have also made invaluable connections with others through the help of both the staff and other organisations based at STP.’ The company has been liaising with different Sheffield based organisations including Sheffield City Council and Sheffield College about using their bricks in city centre pilot projects.

Good things to come

earth4Earth has achieved verification from the Environmental Product Declaration which states that their N10 brick is carbon negative. The company has received UKCA and CE certification, and has been nominated for the London Construction Award 2025 for excellence in sustainability products.  

We are delighted to have this groundbreaking company within our community at STP, boosting the city’s environmental technology innovation and a move towards sustainability in global construction services.

Find out more about the team and their unique lime-binding process on the company’s website: earth4earth.co.uk.