£500K grant for 'groundbreaking' greenhouse project
Added on 23 August 2023
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.
Image caption: Albotherm founders Molly Allington and Sian Fussell. Provided by Innovate UK.
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