Public Funding for Knauf Insulation Limited

This project will demonstrate the use of sugars produced from residual waste (MSW) in the manufacture of thermoset resins. Fiberight Ltd and Knauf Insulation will collaborate, with academic expertise from the University of Leeds and Aberystwyth University, to undertake pilot and demonstration scale manufacturing trials of thermoset resins for insulation products. Fiberight has developed an innovative circular economy solution to create value-added products from 'black bag' or residual waste, which is typically sent to landfill or incinerated. The process treats and washes the waste material and recovers the cellulose from the paper fraction of the waste stream, which is then treated with enzymes to generate waste-derived sugars. This project will demonstrate a high-value use for the waste-derived sugars with a range of environmental benefits, including diverting waste from landfill or incineration, recovering valuable resources from waste and using the materials to manufacture sustainable insulation products, which in turn will provide further environmental benefits through energy conservation in homes and buildings.

Fiberight Ltd and Knauf Insulation will work together to demonstrate the use of sugars produced from residual waste in the manufacture of thermoset resins. Fiberight has created a circular economy solution to generate value-added products from residual waste, by thermo-mechanically treating and washing the waste and then treating the recovered cellulose with enzymes to generate sugars, recyclable materials and biomethane. Knauf will use these sugars to test a range of thermoset resin products, including resins suitable for adhesion of insulation products. The project will undertake a series of production trials and laboratory testing to evaluate and demonstrate the replacement of food grade sugar with waste derived sugars both technically and commercially across a range of thermoset resin applications.

The Sigma SSPW R&D project will develop the UK's first patented single skin timber frame party wall build system. This project will undertake industrial research to overcome several innovation challenges. This unique product significantly improves the whole life performance of timber frame buildings, by reducing heat loss, building in fire and acoustic performance, future-proofing against adaptions and guaranteeing "as-built" and "in-use" whole life building performance, compared to conventional party walls. The product will commercially impact on 35,000 homes per year, as well as many non-domestic buildings. The innovation challenges include, the product design, detailing and technical validation, the commercialisation of the technology, the development of a high volume, low cost, advanced CAD/CAM manufacturing system, and the development of a innovative site handling and installation process. The products whole life performance will be verified, through as-built and in-use testing of 20 homes, over 12 months.