Construction has begun on the £20m GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry.

The latest landmark development on the award-winning Innovation Park on Jubilee Campus will provide unrivalled facilities for chemistry and incorporate the latest technologies to allow it to be carbon neutral over its lifetime.

The building is set to achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of ‘Outstanding’ and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ‘Platinum’ rating. It is set to reach carbon neutral status after 25 years.

The laboratory will be built by construction partner Morgan Sindall from natural materials and its energy needs will be met by renewable sources such as solar power and sustainable biomass. Excess energy created by the building will provide enough carbon credits over 25 years to pay back the carbon used in its construction.

Chief Estates and Facilities Officer Chris Jagger said: “We are very excited about the start of construction on the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry. The building is part of our on-going strategic capital development plans and investments to continuously improving the teaching and research facilities across all of our campuses. This unique building is also a reflection of our commitment to sustainability and will set new standards for the development of ‘green’ laboratories in the future.”

Morgan Sindall Area Director Richard Fielding said: “The laboratory is a UK first and is set to push the boundaries of sustainable construction and we’re proud to have been appointed to construct this outstanding facility.”

The building, which has been designed by the Fairhursts Design Group, will occupy 4,500 sq m over two floors. In addition to laboratory space for around 100 researchers, it will also contain dedicated instrument rooms, a teaching laboratory for advanced undergraduate classes, and space for a range of outreach activities.

The laboratory is being constructed in partnership with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, the University’s largest ever fundraising appeal. The Campaign facilitated a £12m grant from GSK as part of their ‘green chemistry’ commitment first announced in 2010.

Work is expected to be completed in early 2015.