Cement bound sand
PowerSand is our cement bound sand (CBS) and has been specifically designed to protect energy infrastructure and storage. All products in our CBS range aim to reduce energy loss in the network, lower cable requirements, and cut costs and human power during installation.
With a 14:1 sand-to-cement ratio, our cement bound sand effectively conducts heat away from low- and high-voltage cables. With CBS from us, you can ensure safe, efficient electricity transmission while minimising energy loss.
You will also feel compliance confidence, as our cement bound sand products comply with Energy Network Association Technical Specification (ENA TS) 97-1 and cut costs over the lifespan of the project.
View our range of PowerSand mixes below and please get in touch for more information.
What applications can cement bound sand be used for?
Our cement bound sand is primarily used across energy, rail, and utilities projects. It’s designed to support the following applications:
- Cable bedding — Cement bound sand is crucial for Energy Networks Association (ENATS) compliant projects.
- Trench stabilisation projects — CBS is used to protect and manage heat in utility trenches, such as high-voltage cabling.
Benefits of CBS
Choosing us as your cement bound sand supplier means you have access to our PowerSand product range, which offers a variety of benefits to energy projects:
- Easily compacting around power cables
- Conduction of heat away from the source
- Electrical resistance prevention
- Our cement bound sand’s thermal resistivity is lower than CBS from other suppliers, too.
Our cement bound sand products
We’re proud to offer two different CBS products: PowerSand CBS and PowerSand CBS Extra. These are part of our Power range of products, alongside PowerCrete, our most high-performing heat-conducting concrete.
Use the table below to understand which Power product is best suited to your energy project.
| Product name | Description | Benefits |
| PowerSand CBS | PowerSand is a specialised backfill material for power cable installations. The certifies cable sand, which is ENA TS 97-1 compliant, is suitable for installation and backfilling of underground high voltage cables. | • Primarily used in rail, energy, and utilities projects, meeting all thermal property specifications • Easily compacts around power cables to effectively conduct heat away from the source and prevent electrical resistance |
| PowerSand CBS Extra | Heidelberg Materials PowerSand CBS Extra is a non-traditional stabilised backfill as defined in ENA TS 97-1, with optimised performance. | • Lower thermal resistivity to traditional CBS • Reduced carbon footprint |
| PowerCrete® | PowerCrete® is a robust, higher performing option compared to PowerSand. It is a heat-conducting concrete, used as a bedding and infill material for underground HV and UHV cabling. The special material properties of PowerCrete® result in low heat transmission resistance. | • Improved heat dissipation for HV and UHV cables • High heat conduction after drying • Reduction in magnetic field strength for alternating current • Increased power capacity • Reduction of conductor cross-section • Switch to aluminium conductors possible • Mitigation of “hot-spots” • PowerCrete® has a thermal resistivity measured at 0.4Km/W |
Where PowerSand has been used
Uskmouth Sub-Station
Heidelberg Materials supplied low carbon PowerSand CBS Extra to support cable installation at the new Uskmouth battery storage facility—helping transform a former coal site into a hub for clean energy.
Case study: Uskmouth Substation
Our accreditations
Heidelberg Materials fully conforms with ENA Technical Specification 97-1 and all our products carry this certification.
From the experts: CBS
“Heidelberg Materials’ PowerSand CBS Extra provided the performance we needed for safe and efficient cable installation, and their team was incredibly responsive throughout.
“Coordinating deliveries across two supply sites while adapting to evolving site conditions was no small feat, but their proactive approach and technical support helped keep the project on track.”
Rhys Roberts, Contract Manager at Jones Bros Ruthin Civil Engineering Ltd
Why you can trust Heidelberg Materials
Quality-Assured CBS
Our range of cement bound sand has been tested to the highest standards, with a solution for every project.
Extensive Product Availability
Choose from 178 static and mobile plants across the UK for your CBS supply.
Bespoke Concrete Products
Select your ideal additives, admixtures, cement and aggregates.
Dedicated Sales Support
We integrate sales management with every order for seamless delivery.
National Delivery Fleet
Trust our 1,200 vehicles, 140 rail freight wagons, and 4 locomotives to safely deliver your concrete.
Contact details
Contact the team nearest to you using the details in the table below. Alternatively, please complete the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Cement bound sand FAQs
Learn more about cement bound sand and its uses. For more information on our ready-mixed concrete range, visit our dedicated FAQs page.
- What is cement bound sand and CBS concrete?
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Cement bound sand (CBS) is a weak mix of granular material (sand) and cement, designed for underground cable laying. This backfill protects cables from impacts and conducts heat from high and low-voltage cables. It ensures they transfer electricity safely and efficiently.
- What to consider when choosing and placing cement bound sand?
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The cement bound sand must be formulated to match the exact workability requirements of your project. Proper compaction is essential for optimal thermal conductivity and to prevent cable damage. Once laid, you should cover the site and allow enough time for the CBS to set without shifting, which could be caused by excess moisture or cracking from excess heat.
For advice and support with laying CBS, please contact our team.
- What specification requirements is cement bound sand produced to?
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The cement bound sand we produce at Heidelberg Materials UK is in line with ENA TS 97-1 and NGTS 3.05.07, with the following specification requirements:
- Grading = >95% passing a 5.0mm BS Sieve
- Mixture = 14:1 Sand to Cement Mix
- Dry Relative Density = >1.6Mg/m³
- Thermal Resistivity = <1.2°C m/W
- Void Ratio = <0.54
- Cohesion = Appendix C
- Where is CBS from Heidelberg Materials UK available?
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We can deliver cement bound sand to locations up to a 50-mile radius from any one of our 178 static and mobile production plants in the UK. All our CBS products comply with the requirements of ENA TS 97-1 and NGTS 3.05.07, so you can be assured of their quality.
Please request a quote or contact us for more information about availability and delivery.
- Will any 14:1 sand cement mix be suitable for my energy project?
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No, as this sand cement mix may not have the required thermal conductivity. Please ensure that any material you use has current UKAS-accredited test results, to provide assurance that the material is fit for purpose. These tests take approximately four weeks to carry out.
For advice on choosing the right sand cement mix, please contact us.
- How soon should CBS be installed after delivery?
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CBS has a low moisture content, but its performance is significantly reduced if it is allowed to dry out. We recommend that it be placed and compacted within 2 hours of delivery, although this could be extended provided the material is covered in polythene sheeting to prevent moisture loss.
