STBAH Case Study | Collaboration is the key to unlocking the potential of bio-based building materials

Adaptavate is a start-up business focussed on developing and commercialising material solutions that disrupt the conventional construction industry by solving the problems of people and planet profitably. They produce next generation bio composite materials that outperform conventional construction products by improving indoor air quality and enhancing occupant health while lowering energy demand and reducing environmental impact. Their business is a material first approach that’s good for people and planet.

Breathaboard

Adaptavate have a game changing innovation – Breathaboard - a bio-composite, breathable, more renewable, lower carbon alternative to plasterboard, which is the third most widely used building material on the planet. Gypsum is closely coupled to the production and burning of coal, which is being phased out, with plasterboard directly responsible for more than 3% of the UK CO2 emissions (Maskell et al 2017).

Plaster in partnership

In their mission to improve the health and sustainability of the built environment, Adaptavate recognise that collaboration is key, and that product development works best in partnership with leading research institutions and academia. Previous collaboration with the University of Bath was pivotal in the launching of their first product innovation – Breathaplasta – an internal wall plaster that is highly breathable, reduces condensation and mould growth and absorbs indoor air pollutants. Breathaplasta was launched in 2016 and is now supplied throughout the UK and Europe to a market with a surging demand for products that support health and wellbeing in the home and workplace. 

Adaptavate and STBAH

Adaptavate are now seeking to internationally launch Breathaboard. To achieve this the company sought the assistance of the Sustainable Technologies Business Acceleration Hub (STBAH) – a programme partnered with the University of Bath and funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This programme enabled access to business consultancy support to help bring the innovative bio-based board to market, as well as cultivate exciting new research collaborations with the University of Bath to help with future product development. 

STBAH Business Support

In order to scale this innovation rapidly to a global market Adaptavate have not only had to take a radical approach to the material science but also to their business model.

Adaptavate are building a highly flexible development production line, that proves out the scalable continuous manufacturing process for Breathaboard and other board products. This unique centre will prove the industrial manufacturing process to the point of certification, taking locally available plant matter and materials and matching them with the demands of the market and the local certification body; allowing Adaptavate to license the core technology into a range of markets and products.

This think global, act local approach requires an innovative business platform from which to operate and the support of STBAH in the form of business consultant, David Sykes, has been indispensable as the company has built a platform that can license the core technology through attracting investment. David’s experience in raising capital and licensing technology has been fundamental in crystallising the business model to realising this concept. Adaptavate have found his insight so useful they continue to use his sage business advice as the company grows through this pivotal stage of securing the initial license partners and raising the necessary capital.

STBAH brokering fundamental research

The collaborative approach proved fruitful when a new partnership was formed between Adaptavate and the University of Bath with the launch of a joint research project to explore the development of a self-healing wall plaster. The project investigated technology developed by Dr Susanne Gebhard of the University of Bath’s Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Dr Kevin Paine of the University of Bath’s Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering to assess the feasibility of using bacteria for self-healing wall plaster - a technological advancement with the potential for significant positive environmental and economic outcomes. The project was funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) via an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), an institutional grant at the University of Bath (Grant Ref: EP/R51164X/1) and facilitated knowledge exchange from the University of Bath to Adaptavate, as well as providing significant impact from the project outcomes. Whilst the focus of the project was improving the current commercial offering of Adaptavate it is likely that any research outputs will have relevance to a broader range of Adaptavate products with the same core technology. 

Microbiology and building materials

Researcher Dr Carolin Kobras, who recently completed her PhD in Microbiology, worked on the project at the University of Bath. Carolin investigated the compatibility of different feedstocks and the requirements for the bacteria to heal plaster. Additionally, she conducted pilot experiments to test self-healing by the bacteria in plaster mixes supplied by Adaptavate.

Discussing the research collaboration project, Dr Susanne Gebhard, from the University of Bath said:

“Overall, the project was very successful in that both sides learnt a lot and the experiments largely went to plan. Through the research we identified other potential uses for our bacterial technology in Adaptavate products. We will continue to do some additional pilot experiments alongside ongoing research and following these outcomes more specific plans can then be worked on. It has been a useful proof-of-concept for both sides.”

Working closely with the University of Bath was Adaptavate Technical Director, Jeff Ive, who said:

“The STBAH programme has been extremely helpful to Adaptavate, both from technical and commercial perspectives. The programme helped facilitate the collaboration with the University of Bath to research the development of this specific product, developing the Science; the potential commercial applications are genuinely exciting. I’m delighted that Adaptavate will be continuing to collaborate with Susanne on this project and on other product developments we have in the pipeline. For any start-up or SME the free business support available through the STBAH is extremely useful and for us the links with the University of Bath have been an invaluable part of the process. This initial feasibility study indicates that there may be new ways to work with nature to fundamentally alter the material flows in the built environment. This is the reason our company exists and is what motivates us to get out of bed each morning.”

Jeff Ive

Adaptavate is an award-winning company rethinking and redesigning the way building materials are produced, used and disposed of at end of life. By taking an innovative approach to the design and manufacture of construction products and their rapid global realisation, they endeavour to clean up the construction industry and deliver a breath of fresh air into this traditionally conservative sector.

Adaptavate continue to innovate, develop and deliver new material solutions in pursuit of their stated business objective; to solve the problems of people and planet profitably.

If you are a startup or SME looking for research collaborations or business support please get in touch with the one of the STBAH team.