Key Takeaways:
- Albotherm awarded £500,000 by Innovate UK to develop temperature-sensitive polytunnel films.
- The technology aims to reduce overheating in polytunnels by incorporating Albotherm’s heat-responsive additives into plastic films.
- Partnership with Billington Farm and Lumiforte to trial the technology in commercial polytunnel environments.
- CEO Molly Allington mentions expanding into international markets, particularly Asia-Pacific, to meet demand for efficient agricultural solutions.
Funding for Heat-Responsive Agricultural Technology
Albotherm, a UK-based AgriTech startup, has been awarded a £500,000 grant from Innovate UK to advance its greenhouse technology for polytunnel applications. The project aims to adapt Albotherm’s temperature-sensitive additive, designed to mitigate overheating, for use within plastic films commonly used in polytunnels. This adaptation is intended to help address temperature regulation challenges in agricultural production, especially in regions with high temperatures.
Polytunnels, used to extend growing seasons by protecting crops from adverse weather, often face issues with overheating in warmer climates. Albotherm’s heat-responsive technology transitions from transparent to reflective when temperatures rise, potentially lowering internal heat levels without electrical input. The technology is designed to revert to a transparent state in cooler temperatures, aiming to optimize light availability.
Planned Trials with Billington Farm and Lumiforte
To test the technology in practical settings, Albotherm has partnered with Billington Farm, a UK berry producer associated with the Berry Gardens group. Lumiforte, a company specializing in agricultural coatings, will also participate in the project by providing the necessary application materials. The trials will assess how Albotherm’s technology performs in controlling temperature within commercial polytunnels, particularly its effectiveness in limiting overheating while maintaining optimal light levels for crop growth.
Recent trials of Albotherm’s technology in commercial glasshouses reportedly showed crop yield increases of up to 34% compared to traditional shading methods. Albotherm aims to explore whether similar results can be achieved in polytunnel environments, where overheating has been identified as a challenge. According to Albotherm, reducing temperature spikes in polytunnels may also help extend crop production into cooler months, potentially increasing annual yield and revenue.
Supporting Increased Demand for Localized Food Production
Polytunnels play an important role in agricultural production by enabling the cultivation of crops outside of their usual growing seasons or regions. This technology may align with recent increases in localized food production, allowing growers to manage temperature extremes more effectively.
CEO Molly Allington stated:
“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.”
Broader Applications and Market Expansion
Albotherm has indicated that its temperature-responsive additive technology could have applications beyond agriculture. By incorporating the additive into various films, the company may be able to develop additional temperature-regulating solutions for commercial and residential use. The Innovate UK-funded project provides Albotherm with the opportunity to further explore potential applications within and beyond agricultural sectors.
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