Hemspan: Transforming Construction with Bio-Based, Carbon-Sequestering Building Systems for Climate-Positive Living
The built environment is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, accounting for 39% of total emissions worldwide. In the UK, the whole lifecycle embodied carbon emissions for a typical new home delivered by major developers average 1.5tCO2e/m² (Gross Internal Area), with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2030 target aiming for a reduction to 0.63tCO2e/m². Despite these targets, the industry’s current trajectory is insufficient to meet climate goals. The need for innovative, scalable solutions to reduce embodied carbon in construction is critical.
Hemspan is answering this call by developing bio-based, circular systems that capture and store atmospheric carbon within buildings while delivering climate-positive, sustainable community living. The company’s flagship product, BIOHAUS®, is a high-performance timber frame building system insulated with industrial hemp, which locks up more carbon than it emits during its construction and operation. This innovative system represents a significant step toward reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment, offering a path toward scalable, sustainable housing solutions.
Greenbackers is pleased to introduce Hemspan, a construction technology business that is developing bio-based, circular systems to capture and store atmospheric carbon in buildings. Hemspan’s BIOHAUS® system, a high-performance timber frame building insulated with industrial hemp, delivers climate-positive living while tackling the carbon emissions crisis in construction. This system offers a powerful solution for reducing embodied carbon and accelerating the shift toward sustainable, carbon-negative housing.
Why Hemspan:
- Innovative technology: Hemspan’s BIOHAUS® system is designed to revolutionize construction by utilizing industrial hemp in multiple forms: as insulation, particle boards, and bio-composite cladding materials, combined with structural timber. Hemp is a highly effective carbon sink, with one hectare of industrial hemp capable of absorbing 11 tonnes of CO2 per year. Hemspan’s solution harnesses this potential, creating buildings that lock up more carbon than they emit during the construction phase, and generate more energy than they consume. This makes Hemspan’s homes not just carbon-neutral but climate-positive.
- Bio-based materials and circular design: The BIOHAUS® system takes advantage of regenerative farming practices, ensuring that hemp used in construction sequesters up to an additional 6 tonnes of CO2 per hectare each year, with minimal chemical inputs and water demand. This creates a truly sustainable building system that supports the circular economy while reducing environmental impact.
- Sustainability beyond the system boundary: Hemspan’s BIOHAUS® system boasts lifecycle embodied carbon emissions of just 0.07 tCO2e/m², far surpassing current industry standards. With build times 2x faster than standard construction, zero energy costs (subject to the level of mechanical and electrical specification), and a 10-20% premium on Gross Development Value (GDV) compared to conventional developments, BIOHAUS® is a highly attractive solution for developers and investors alike.
- Fire safety and performance: Hemspan’s BIOHAUS® system has undergone rigorous testing and exceeds fire performance standards, having achieved a remarkable fire resistance of over 2 hours and 12 minutes during fire testing. This milestone instills confidence in developers, end buyers, and shareholders, ensuring that Hemspan’s buildings meet the highest safety standards.
- Market potential: The global industrial hemp market is projected to grow at a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching £22 billion by 2028. Hemspan is positioned to capitalize on this growing market, with the green building materials sector making up nearly half of this growth. As demand for sustainable and climate-positive housing increases, Hemspan is well-equipped to scale its innovative building solutions.
- Strategic partnerships: Hemspan has established a strong pipeline of projects, including an exclusive landowner project partnership that will deliver 2,000 new homes, and a JCT contract with the Duchy of Cornwall. The company is also partnering with a strategic landowner and housing delivery partner for its Rochford Park Project, which will serve as a blueprint for regional production and large-scale delivery of sustainable housing.
Investment Snapshot:
- Type: Series A
- Target amount: £5m
- Minimum contribution: £50k
For further information or to speak with Hemspan directly contact Annika Borrmann at [email protected]
