nir-vana innovation network

The Belgian SME, established in 2015, is a manufacturer of ecological building materials and methods as a full alternative to traditional construction. The products combine ecology, attention to health, durability, affordability, comfort, efficiency and ease of use. They produce insulation based on straw flakes and insulation based on hemp lime. Hemp lime is already well known as insulation but the Belgian SME has developed a new process to dry the hemp lime in only half on hour, using a special drying tunnel.
The company is already active in the Netherlands and Portugal. They want to enter new markets and therefore are looking for foreign partners interested in a license agreement

Advantages & innovations

Hemp is already known for ages for its good thermal insulation properties. Also it is a fast-growing plant that can be grown in many different climates and has no need for pesticides nor herbicides. Hemp as insulation material has different advantages. The material is an excellent climate controller: it emits heat in the winter and while in summertime it absorbs the heat. It has also vapour permeable, moisture-regulation and acoustic insulating properties. It is a lightweight material and moreover it’s an efficient insulation material made from 100% natural resources. The company offers the hemp lime under two forms: in bags so the buyer can apply the insulation himself or customized lime hemp walls for use as insulation for roofs, floors and walls for renovation and new construction purposes. The life cycle analysis of the product showed that the company produces CO2 neutral: during the lifetime the plant absorbes more CO2 than is emitted during production and construction process. Disadvantage of the traditional production of hemp lime was the long drying time. The Belgian company developed an unique drying process so drying time is reduced drastically: from 1 à 2 years to 30 minutes! This drying process requires only a drying plant, but no major investment is required. In addition the entire production line can be operated with 1 or 2 persons. The patent on the process is pending.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The company is looking for partners interested in the production, distribution and commercialisation of sustainable and ecological building materials. The partners should be interested in using the patent pending drying system for hemp under license. Potential partners are insulation manufacturers/installers, construction companies, project developers, producers of sustainable building material or other companies interested in new environmentally sustainable building materials. Extensive training will be foreseen for the licensees.