The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will establish an MMC Taskforce with the aim of stimulating housebuilding using modern methods of construction. Backed by £10 million of seed funding the taskforce will be made up of construction professionals from across the Government and industry to increase adoption of offsite and onsite MMC techniques.
MMC provides housebuilders with a fast-track and energy efficient construction method which can provide a reliable alternative to traditional housebuilding methods. The term MMC encompasses a wide range of pre-manufactured offsite and onsite construction techniques and includes not only 3D and 2D structural system but also site-based materials such as Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF).
ICFA Chairman Christopher Stride said: “The ICFA and our members fully recognise the benefits on offer when building with Modern Methods of Construction. We are delighted that it will now play a larger role when it comes to housebuilding and we hope that developers will consider the wide range of MMC options available.
“Developers will need to consider how MMC can speed up the build process, provide better quality homes and also meet the 2050 targets proposed in the Future Homes Standard. We know that Insulated Concrete Formwork can easily meet these challenges and provide the ideal solution for housebuilders.”
ICF is an in-situ build method which uses hollow block components which are filled with concrete to form a high-strength and energy efficient structure. Construction of an ICF property is quick, clean and very low waste. With forms easily carried and movement of heavy plant on site dramatically reduced, the technique provides a safer working environment and an ideal platform to train apprentices new to the industry. The preformed blocks fit together far more quickly than courses of bricks or concrete blocks without the need for specialised contractors. With the insulating formwork blocks custom made offsite and transported to site for assembly, the inefficiencies and delays that can affect onsite construction are minimised.