A West Midlands construction company developing new products which cut the quantity of materials needed for concrete floors - thereby reducing CO2 emissions - has won the 2009 Building Exchange (BEX) Innovation Competition.

Birmingham and Redditch-based company Screedrail Solutions received the award at the BEX event, a major international construction conference being held in Hamburg, Germany this week.

Organised by UK Trade & Investment, the competition was aimed at uncovering the UK's most innovative construction companies. The competition finalists, including Photon Star LED, Primace Associates Ltd, Fire Fly Safety and Nu-Phalt Ltd, were given the opportunity to exhibit at the BEX conference which attracts industry leaders from across the globe.

UK Trade & Investment CEO Sir Andrew Cahn congratulated the winning company and said innovation was vital to the future of the construction sector.

"Screedrail Solutions illustrates the innovative capability of so many small companies in the UK construction industry. It is working at the cutting edge of technology, bringing products to market which represent a significant step forward in building design and performance.

"I know times are tough for the construction industry. That is why UK Trade & Investment is helping companies like Screedrail to make the most of global opportunities and increase their activity in overseas markets."

Screedrail Solutions is already exporting its products to Australia, New Zealand and the EU and hope to use BEX as a stepping stone to new markets.

Screedrail Solutions was established just over a year ago. It has recently launched its Metalscreed range of products which reduce the materials required for the construction of concrete floors whilst improving performance and reducing long-term maintenance costs. All of its products are designed using the latest steel technology which provides higher strength at a lower weight thereby reducing CO2 emissions.

UK Trade & Investment organised the competition in conjunction with Building on Business, Construction Products Association and British Expertise.

The 2009 BEX event coincides with the UK's first ever World Trade Week, which runs from 8-12 June.

World Trade Week is an opportunity for the UK to showcase its strengths and reiterate its commitment to staying open to international trade.

"In the current economic climate, it is particularly important that we maximise opportunities for global trade and promote the benefits of open markets to protect our shared economic future," said Andrew Cahn.