A SCOTTISH factory with the aim of producing carbon negative insulation for homes is to be created after a £3 million investment.
The investment comes from Scottish National Investment Bank who will help IndiNature open its new Borders manufacturing hub in 2022.
IndiNature has developed a natural fibre insulation system called IndiBreathe and is aiming for a 2022 Summer opening as well as to grow its workforce to 30.
The natural insulation system was made using hemp grown in the UK that can be fitted both in new and retrofit building projects.
Scott Simpson, Co-founder & CEO of IndiNature, said: “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 investment from the bank 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).
IndiTherm, the company’s core product results in a net carbon capture because it absorbs more carbon than the emissions produced to manufacture it and increases the energy efficiency of the building where it is installed.
At capacity, IndiNature’s new site could capture a net 10,500 tonnes CO2/yr meaning by 2050 the factory will have the equivalent impact on the climate crisis as planting more than 5 million trees.
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.
The firm claims its products can reduce the average new UK home’s construction carbon footprint by 4.4 tonnes CO2.
