A new way of building greenhouses that saves money

Summary

Profile Type

Technology offer

POD Reference

TOGB20241031031

Term of Validity

31 October 2024 - 31 October 2025

Company's Country

United Kingdom

Type of partnership

Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Targeted Countries

All countries

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General information

Short Summary

A UK company is using modern materials and their patented joining technology in insulated greenhouses. This way, horticulture all-year round can be achieved at the lowest possible cost. Greenhouse construction is faster and simpler. Fossil fuels are eliminated, CO2 emissions reduced and at end end-of-life, components are recycled. Pultrusion companies and greenhouse builders are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance.

Full Description

By exploiting new materials, greenhouse construction can be transformed. Greenhouses become lighter, less costly and better insulated. Commercial greenhouses can substantially cut winter fuel bills by not burning fossil fuels.
The new materials are 35mm polycarbonate multiwall sheet and 60mm pultruded fibreglass box.
Fibreglass and polycarbonate replace metal and glass with strong and durable alternatives that are much lighter and require no maintenance.
A UK company has developed new ways of joining them to make this possible. Fast and effective joints that don’t rely on steel nuts and bolts or adhesive, can also be disassembled. Patents have been granted in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, Australia and India to protect this technology.
Fibreglass truss foundations require minimal ground disturbance and by avoiding wet trades, save time and money. Structures on top have wide centres and fewer parts.
With a U value below 1.1 W/m2k, heat loss in winter is much reduced. A thermal store (see proposed design in the attached pdf file) below a central walkway retains summer heat to alleviate cold in winter. Heat is stored and transferred using water. Simple technology maintains a balanced growing environment all year round, at minimal cost.
Industry partners are sought from horticulture or garden centre supply chains to collaborate in developing and adapting the technology to meet their local requirements. Licensing arrangements will grant them exclusivity and protection from competition.

Advantages and Innovations

The patented connectors allow for erecting much lighter constructions with much less effort. These connectors don’t creep, they hold tight, but at the end of the life both the profiles and the connectors can be taken apart and reused.

Stage of Development

Available for demonstration

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

IPR status

IPR granted

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner

Type of partner sought: industry.
Specific area of partner sought: pultrusion companies, greenhouse and horticulture builders and vendors.
Role of partner sought with assistance from the UK company, adapt the principles into a local design and introduce to the market under license.

Type and Size of Partner