Naturally occurring / Fired Lightweight Aggregate / Manufactured aggregates have been in use for the past two thousand years. Modern technology was developed in the 1950's producing aggregates with structural applications. Since this time, the technology has continued to develop and lightweight aggregates can now be produced for virtually any structural use. The lightweight aggregate manufactured by the Trefoil Process is able to be used in high strength concrete mixes enabling significant savings to be made in the self weight of a concrete structural frame building. The weight of the concrete is significantly reduced, which in turn requires less foundations and less reinforcement (much of the strength in the concrete frame is required to support the self weight of the structure). Lightweight aggregate is also an excellent material when used in concrete fire surround of steel frame structures.

The market for lightweight and manufactured aggregates is large and will develop further as it becomes more restrictive to extract aggregates from the ground or by dredging. The Trefoil Process recycles large volumes of waste with negligible impact on the environment

The strength of the sand/aggregate produced by The Trefoil Process will vary according to the input materials. For example, if the supplies of sewage cake and PFA were guaranteed, the plant would be set to produce a high grade light weight building aggregate. If the base materials were of an inconsistent nature, then the plant would produce a more general quality of aggregate suitable for low/non structural applications such as floor screeding and fill material.

Varied Uses of Lightweight Aggregates Produced By The Trefoil Process

• Low-density aggregate is ideal for thermal, underfloor, cavity, or attic insulation, land drainage, etc
  
• Concrete blocks for external / internal walls and foundations
  
• Building concrete - may be used; in floors as screeding, in situ or precast joists; post tensioned slabs: roofs; flat slabs; shells and folded plates i.e. canopy roofs for hangers and grandstands; walls: solid / T / sandwich / insulating panels
• Construction concrete - for large spans, bridge beams, in situ suspended spans, hollow core slabs, inbox beam girders, segmental sections, bridge decks, footbridge and metal deck systems