News / Horticulture
£500k grant for ‘groundbreaking’ greenhouse project
An advanced materials start-up in agritech and construction has been awarded a £500,000 grant from Innovate UK to spearhead a “groundbreaking” project.
Bristol-based Albotherm has developed a smart shade coating for commercial greenhouses that is transparent in cold weather but automatically converts to opaque in hot weather
The University of Bristol spin-out’s product is responsive to changing temperature, ensuring that the greenhouse environment remains optimised for growth.
In commercial greenhouses, their technology allows crops to benefit from the early morning and evening light, while being protected from the heat of the midday sun.
The aim of the project, which started in May, is to address the need for sustainable solutions in the horticulture sector by maximising energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
The funding from Innovate UK will enable Albotherm to develop and test its smart coatings, with initial testing scheduled to commence in partnership with soft fruit and culinary herb growers, Flavourfresh and Vitacre, in spring 2024.
Albotherm is also partnering with Pilkington to develop a glass coating for new greenhouse construction that can be produced using the glass manufacturer’s processes.
Molly Allington, CEO of Albotherm said: “We are excited to receive the Innovate UK grant and to collaborate with leaders in the UK horticulture industry.
“We are honoured to have the support of Flavourfresh, Vitacress, and Pilkington on this ground-breaking project and we look forward to contributing to a more sustainable future for the horticultural industry.”
Albotherm founders Molly Allington and Sian Fussell developed the technology at University of Bristol and have proven to increase in crop yield by 34 per cent compared to standard shading approaches.
Main image: Innovate UK
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