Bio-Based Insulation Boost
If you didn't know already, we're a huge fan of bio-based products at Refurb and Retrofit.
So getting the news today that one of the most interesting firms in retrofit, Sisaltech got a huge £800,000 boost to their operations came as a super start to the day.
How It Started
The origin story to the product is as unique as the product.
Find Out More - Sisal Cultivation Is A Good News Story - Hooray!
Founder, John Ferguson witnessed the incredible tenacious Sisal plant in East Africa. Although the plant is a succulent - part of the Agave family - it is incredibly drought resistant.
Although Sisal is incredibly hardy and has been used to transport coffee and make twine and rope for years - it also has great insulating properties when mixed with sheep wool.
Making the hybrid product SISALWOOL™, John married the two material to make a VOC free, insulating super product.
Imaging a hardy product, that's great to handle, and doesn't endanger installers too.
Vapour Permeable Insulation
The added bonus of the product is it's ability to cope with moisture. If you imagine the number of listed, historic and leaky buildings that have become damaged from mismanaged retrofits.
A moisture resistant but permeable product like SISALWOOL™ offers the perfect solution for cities like Bath, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Harrogate, when moisture is a big problem.
This is just one of the reasons that the product is now being stocked widely in chains like B&Q.
Investing In Our Climate
The investment funding has come from TRICAPITAL Angels, the CEO Moray Martin says;
“Sisaltech is a forward-thinking, innovative and impactful business, exactly the type of company we are geared up to accelerate as they scale and transform the construction sector with products that perform exceptionally while tackling the climate emergency.
With the product close to achieving BBA certification, the investment will be a canny move for Moray who continues;
“Sisaltech’s insulation meets stringent energy efficiency standards, and is also biodegradable, recyclable, and safe to handle, setting it apart from competitors.”
With a use case for the bio material in between rafters, joists, partitions, stud walls and lofts it will be increasingly popular with clients who want a natural solution rather than a carbon heavy, GHG produced chemical product.
Increased Demand
As the popularity of the product increases, the added investments means this Midlothian based bio success story will be able to meet expected spikes in demand.
Founder John Ferguson told us;
“Sisal is a game-changer – it is a highly sustainable fibre source, easy to grow organically, and dried naturally under the African sun. By blending the incredible benefits of wool with sisal, we've created a product boasting superior structural qualities, redefining insulation excellence.”
In a sector that is already experiencing exponential growth, a boost for this Scottish innovation is just in time. John Ferguson told us;
“This crucial support from TRICAPITAL and Scottish Enterprise will allow us to lead the transition towards greener building practices across the UK and beyond.”
The third spoke in the wheel is Scottish Enterprise. They have to get a pat on the back for help bringing investment into one of the best start-ups in retrofit.
A bio based solution that doesn't cost the earth. Literally.