Sustainable construction iNet assists pioneering low cast home system

A Nottingham-based company specialising in innovative building products has developed a structural insulated panel system (SIPS) which could result in new homes being built at an extremely low cost.

Banbury Innovations based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, has developed a unique system to build homes to levels 3 and 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), and plans to market it into the low cost housing market in the UK, with the intention of rolling it out for export and hopefully production in the developing world.

The Sustainable Construction iNet (iNet), the organisation which identifies and assists businesses developing innovative techniques for use in construction, assisted Banbury Innovations by providing Innovation, Advice and Guidance support worth £4,200, which helped fund the initial research and development of the system. The iNet is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Now the prototype has been perfected, Banbury Innovations is seeking to develop and apply refined technologies and manufacturing techniques so the system can be put into production commercially in the UK. The company is also convinced that this lightweight, easy to use and incredibly cost effective system, will prove ideal for quick and low cost house building in disaster relief areas such as Haiti, Pakistan and other developing countries which would benefit from such a system.

Banbury Innovations managing director, John Banbury, said: “The iNet helped us reach the next stage in the product’s development, as we are literally on the verge of producing a potential life-changing product which would impact hugely on construction not only here but in the developing world. Banbury Innovations is doing what it does best, creating innovative solutions for real life situations and with the new SIPS product, I believe we can make a positive impact on the low cost housing market.”

Barrie Billinghay, iNet business advisor, added: “Banbury’s product is truly remarkable and should the system be adopted worldwide in areas of need, the earning potential for Banbury is significant. It would also provide a platform for rolling out a great British product and production system, giving builders in the developing world the wherewithal to make a difference to the cost of providing housing in a truly energy efficient way.”

Over the past 18 months the Sustainable Construction iNet has helped more than 35 businesses in the East Midlands region with targeted funding support to improve their products, processes or services to become more commercially viable in the construction industry, and more than 150 with specialist advice and guidance. This financial year a further 30 SME’s are expected to benefit from iNet support through the Innovation, Advice & Guidance service, plus a further 100+ SMEs with supplementary assistance. It also aims to run 12 – 15 events throughout 2010 and expects to see upwards of 1500 firms utilising the network.

In 2011 the iNet moves to its new headquarters building in Daventry, a purpose-built business hub featuring best-practice design with sustainability.

Picture Caption: (L-R) Steve Rudkin, director, Business Initiation Grants Ltd; Barrie Billinghay, business advisor, Sustainable Construction iNet; John Banbury, managing director, Banbury Innovations & Steve Potts, group sales director, Banbury Innovations.