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Albotherm’s smart coating to revolutionise greenhouse agriculture thanks to £500k Innovate UK grant

Albotherm’s smart coating to revolutionise greenhouse agriculture thanks to £500k Innovate UK grant

Former Scale-Up programme member and University of Bristol spin-out, Albotherm, has been awarded £500k to explore new applications for its greenhouse technology.

Experts estimate that global food production needs to increase by as much as 50% to support the needs of millions around the globe – a figure which poses a significant challenge given the 30% decrease in arable land seen over the last four decades. Polytunnels provide an effective solution by extending suitable growing seasons, however, they are susceptible to overheating during the summer months, which can cause significant crop loss.

Albotherm’s groundbreaking temperature-sensitive smart coating transitions from transparent to reflective when exposed to heat, reducing the temperature inside greenhouses to protect crops from heat stress. On cooler days, the coating reverts back to transparency, maximising light availability without requiring any electricity.

Now, Albotherm is adapting its technology for use in plastic greenhouses and commercial polytunnels, promising substantial benefits for farmers and growers alike. By preventing temperature spikes that accelerate early ripening, the coating can extend growing seasons into high-demand off-seasons when crop prices, such as berries, often double.

Extending the season by even just a month could translate into significant increases in crop yields and annual revenue for farmers.

This summer, Albotherm concluded successful trials at two major UK commercial glasshouse farms.

The additional stage in the project, which will be funded by the recent Innovate UK grant, will see a collaboration with Billington Farm, a leading UK berry producer, with additional support from Lumiforte. Albotherm will be trialling its retrofit coatings on commercial polytunnels to test the efficiency of its temperature-responsive materials under real-world conditions.

Speaking on the project, Molly Allington, CEO, Albotherm, commented, “With a considerable portion of the world’s horticultural crops being grown under plastic, we aim to leverage this funding opportunity to expand our market reach across the globe, in particular into the Asia-Pacific region as the fastest growing market for agritech solutions. By tackling these new markets, we will not only enhance our product offerings but also position ourselves as a key player in the global agricultural sector, addressing the growing demand for efficient and sustainable farming solutions.”

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