£2m investment for Adaptavate

The company founded by CAT graduate Tom Robinson has secured the funds to advance its development and the industrialisation of carbon negative construction materials.

Adaptavate’s aim is to be a world leader in helping to decarbonise the construction industry. It plans to do so by developing low-carbon building materials and carbon absorbing industrial processes, including its plaster product, Breathaplasta, and plasterboard product, Breathaboard, which is due to move from the pilot line to buildings’ walls by the end of the year.

Accelerating change in construction

The new funding was raised through an investment round led by Counteract Carbon Removal, Low Carbon Innovation Fund 2 (LCIF2), building materials manufacturers SEMIN Group, and Perivoli Innovations, alongside several other industry experts. It will allow Adaptavate to step up its work on carbon negative formulations and carbon capture processes and develop and industrialise drop-in, high-performing and carbon negative alternatives to the most widely used construction materials.

Tom Robinson, CEO and founder of Adaptavate, said: “This funding round is a pivotal point in the acceleration of Adaptavate and our aim to be the world leader in this space…. What I am most pleased about is that this funding round was oversubscribed, which shows the appetite for near-to-market, industrially scalable carbon absorbing technologies, even at an economically challenging time.”

Adaptavate is also starting conversations with potential partners in the building product manufacturing industry across the world to explore licensing its technology.
Inspiring the next generation

Having recently visited CAT with Jeff Ive, CTO and also a CAT graduate, and the rest of the Adaptavate team during our annual Sustainable Materials teaching week, Tom recounted the company’s story to inspire the next generation of CAT students: “Ten years ago, almost to the day, the first samples of what is now known as Breathaboard were made up in a small quarry in the hills in Wales. A place they call the Centre for Alternative Technology. Jeff also decided to enrol at CAT 10 years ago this week, positively changing his course for change. Back then, little did Jeff and I know what the coinciding of our two paths would manifest. Adaptavate is now the vehicle for change that both Jeff and I are building, along with our awesome team. Originally inspired from the unique energy of CAT.”

Adaptavate staff during their recent visit to CAT

We look forward to hearing more news from Adaptavate as Tom, Jeff and the team launch Breathaboard and expand the business.

Will you be the next CAT success story?

If you’re inspired by Adaptavate’s success and want to develop the knowledge and skills to make a difference, CAT’s Graduate School is the place for you.

We are now taking applications for our postgraduate courses starting in September 2024. Find out more about our postgraduate courses by contacting Alis Rees, Graduate School Marketing Officer, at gsmo@cat.org.uk or on +44 (0)1654 705953.