Highland Heritage Woodworks (HHW), a Scottish woodworking, sawmill and cabin building company renowned for its dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship, recently partnered with sustainable technology firm Recycl8 to construct foundations for a new sawmill and drying kiln, using the firm’s lower-carbon R8 Mix concrete.
This innovative material was supplied through a collaboration with the construction materials specialists, Breedon Group.
Located in the picturesque Aberdeenshire countryside, HHW's new sawmill and drying kiln has been repurposed from an old agricultural building, exemplifying the company's commitment to preserving the environment, resource reuse and sustainability.
The newly repurposed sawmill facility houses a wide-band horizontal sawmill, high tech 60m3 drying kiln with heating provided by a biomass boiler system. The investment in new facilities also lowers the company’s per unit carbon footprint, aligning with customer demands for sustainable building materials, as well as delivering on Highland Heritage Woodworks own net zero journey.
In keeping with this philosophy, HHW sought out Recycl8, a fellow Aberdeenshire-based firm known for its innovative and sustainable technology, to provide a concrete solution for their new facility which would align with their environmental values. The choice of Recycl8’s R8 Mix concrete, a product that boasts significantly lower embodied carbon compared to traditional mixes, was a natural fit for the project.
Guy Phillips, co-founder and CEO of HHW, highlighted the importance of this partnership. He said: “Our expansion to a new, much larger sawmill and timber drying operation wasn’t just a business decision; it was a commitment to our community and customers.
From left, Guy Phillips of Highland Heritage Woodworks, Mark Gillespie and Jim Young of Recycl8
"This new facility allows us to manage at scale, the entire lifecycle of our timber, from forest to front door, showcasing the fantastic, locally sourced timber we have available to us in Scotland.”
Drawing on insights from previous extensive testing, Recycl8 initially used a standard cement content to ensure compliance and performance. During the course of the project, the team gradually reduced the amount of cement used, while maintaining full compliance and achieving the desired results.
This optimisation not only enhances sustainability, but also showcases the versatility of the R8 Mix in creating lower-carbon concrete solutions tailored to the specific needs of individual projects, like HHW’s sawmill and drying kiln.
Mark Gillespie, CEO of Recycl8, shared his excitement about the project, adding: “We are thrilled to have worked once again with Breedon Group to complete this pour with Highland Heritage Woodworks.
"This collaboration demonstrates how companies can join forces to push the boundaries of sustainable construction. The R8 Mix concrete used in creating the foundational base for the sawmill and drying kiln is a key element of Recycl8's commitment to a greener future, reducing the need for virgin quarried materials by repurposing waste.
"This strategy not only lowers carbon emissions, but also fosters a circular economy where resources are continually reused rather than discarded.”
Guy Phillips added: “Our master carpenters and sawmillers produce exceptional bespoke joinery, from our dedicated facility, which reflects our craftsmanship and our dedication to creating lasting products.
"Partnering with Recycl8 for this project helps us further reduce our carbon footprint from the ground up, and is the latest example of HHW’s dedication to blending tradition with innovation, making sustainable practices the standard, and ensuring that every project, big or small, contributes to a healthier planet.
“As Highland Heritage Woodworks continues to grow, projects like the sustainable log store and drying kiln demonstrate our ongoing commitment to craftsmanship, environmental care, and community. By working with forward-thinking companies like Recycl8 and Breedon Group, we are not just building structures—we are building a sustainable legacy.”
HHW received a grant of £100,000 from Scottish Enterprise towards the capital infrastructure project, which aims to meet growing demand for their innovative timber products and bespoke cabin business. Recycl8 has also received a six-figure grant from Scottish Enterprise, which enabled them to appoint a graduate engineer.