Breathaboard
Innovation overview and development
An overview of the sustainable innovation
Breathabaord is a direct, drop in replace meant for the world 3rd most used building material; Plasterboard. It is developed to be installed in the same way on non-load bearing partitions and other applications and is a key part of building materials in mainstream markets achieve a cost effective, circular, decarbonisation of the global built environment.
It does not use the main ingredient of plasterboard: gypsum -a rapidly reducing feedstock from coal fired power stations. Our technology uses and adds value to locally availible crop by-products, from around the world, combined with waste CO2 emissions, to locally produce a product on an industrial process for mainstream markets.
Our technology has been developed over the last 7 years with a clear route to market, whilst the incumbents in the market have not innovated in this space. This makes our non-gypsum, carbon neutral solution essential to maintain market position as the market accelerates to decarbonisation and the fragility of the gypsum industry increases, similar dynamics to the internal combustion car industry shifting to EV.
How the innovation was developed, including effective collaboration, knowledge transfer and partnership along the project team
Breathaboard was initially developed by founder and inventor, Tom Robinson as part of his MSc in Suit. Architecture. It has since attracted c.£4 mn of funding through a blend of public support (Innovate UK, BBSRC) and private capital (leading carbon funds, angels adn construction professionals).
It has been developed from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 -7 in the last 7 years. Most recently in March 22, Adaptavate secured funding to build a pilot line in Bristol, UK to demonstrate the production technology and product at scale, as well and the Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) process they have developed as part of its manufacturing.
We are now ready to work with the mainstream commercial and residential markets to being this innovation to scale.
The use of new technologies, processes products or techniques or novel uses of existing ones
Breathaboard comprises of a unique, low carbon fibrous formulation that can be continually extruded in a continuous, industrial process.
Adaptavate have also developed an accelerate carbonation process as part fo thier production process which is a form of CCU.
This drop-in, low carbon product will then be tested as part of a non-load bearing partition and ceiling for use in the mainstream cutout industry.
Adaptavate are seeking finance through 2023 to fund and build the first industrial facility in the World in the UK. We will be conducting pilot projects from our pilot line through 2023 with suitable partners.
How does the innovation provide a more environmentally friendly approach for the industry
Breathaboard is made using a entirely ecologically regenerative process using food-crop wastes, into a product that absorbs waste carbon dioxide through he industrial process, making use of low grade CO2 emissions.
This results in a c.3kg CO2 eq lower than plasterboard per m2. It is also 20% lighter and 2 X thermal performance.
Adaptavate have built an independently verified (With the BRE) EPD tool to calculate how any variable in the whole LCA effects teh 36 ecological parameters of a EPD. This enables us to optimise our products with ecological and carbon metrics in mind, at any scale and location in the world.
How does the innovation provide an improvement in social value
Renewable feedstock as part fo the product ingredients and absorbing industrial CO2 in the industrial process.
It is called Breathaboard as it breathes with the people in the building, helping to reduce mould and condensation in the built environment.
There is no waste or cost of disposal at the end fo life or from off-cuts as it is entirely compostable and can be used to restore soils or create renewable energy.
How does this innovation influence future specifications to improve sustainability
Initially our focus, in collaboration with a large industry systems distributor is to have a certified adn warrantied partition system for the mainstream market. This would mean there would be very little change to current specification practices. This mean that the industry would be able to specify widely in all applicable applications. This means the industry from specification to installation, does not have to change, reducing barriers to widespread adoption.