Scotland’s first factory producing carbon negative insulation for homes and commercial properties is to be established following a £3 million investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank.
Sustainable construction materials business IndiNature plans to open its new Borders manufacturing hub in summer 2022 and grow its workforce to 30.
IndiNature has developed a natural fibre insulation system called IndiBreathe using hemp grown in the UK, that can be fitted both in new and retrofit building projects.
The Bank’s investment will enable the business to scale up production at its new facility in Jedburgh and target new domestic and international markets. It has also unlocked grant funding provided by Zero Waste Scotland (£803k) and South of Scotland Enterprise (£250k).
Eilidh Mactaggart, CEO of the Scottish National Investment Bank, said: “The Bank’s investment in IndiNature supports an innovative Scottish company to build its first factory and help to accelerate the transition of the construction industry to net zero.
“Decarbonisation of the industry is a critical element of Scotland’s journey to net zero.
“IndiNature’s innovative natural fibre insulation supports this journey in two clear ways, increasing energy efficiency of buildings and storing carbon within the insulating material itself.
“It was clear through working with IndiNature its products fundamentally supported the delivery of the Bank’s missions. The Bank’s patient capital can help the company to achieve its growth aspirations, with positive economic and environmental benefits for Scotland as a result.”
The company’s core product IndiTherm results in a net carbon capture because it absorbs more carbon than the emissions produced to manufacture it, as well as increasing the energy efficiency of the building where it is installed.
At capacity, IndiNature's new site will be able to capture a net 10,500 tonnes CO2/yr which means that by 2050 the factory will have the equivalent impact on the climate crisis as planting more than 5 million trees. The firm claims its products can reduce the average new UK home’s construction carbon footprint by 4.4 tonnes CO2.
Scott Simpson, Co-founder & CEO of IndiNature, said: "We couldn't be happier having the Scottish National Investment Bank back us - it's a strong mission fit.
"It feels great that we can move forward to create local Borders jobs and make insulation on scale in Scotland - insulation that's good for people's health and the planet.
"The demand for local, natural alternatives in construction is increasing. At IndiNature we love using crops from UK farmers - it's so critical the world moves faster toward what's known as the circular bio-economy by using plants in products, to reduce waste and naturally capture carbon.
"The fossil fuel era has to end - we can replace it with traditional natural materials and new cleantech innovations.
"Our news coincides with the latest IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) report this week which calls for urgent action. IndiNature aims to be a Scottish showcase of positive action.
