Sol-Hair: Bio-sourced insulation panels, CBI Booster Call 3

AI Quick Summary

Impacting Construction industry with sustainable Insulation Panels made from recycled hair waste for the first timeOur solution allows to process the collected hair waste into insulation panels, 100% bio-sourced, recycled material which represents an alternative to existing products with extremely high level of energy consumption due to extraction (e.g. rockwool) or transformation (e.g. glasswool) allowing the same thermo-insulation performance=Energy Saving and Reduction of CO2 emissions The primary function of human hair is to insulate the human body which makes it natural performant insulator30 millions tons of hair waste p.a. are generated worldwide and 30’000 tons in EU1 to 1.4 tons of CO2 is rejected per each ton of burned waste Our solution allows to process the collected hair waste into insulation panels which means completely bio-sourced, recycled material which represents an alternative to existing products with extremely high level of energy consumption due to extraction (e.g. rockwool) or transformation (e.g. glasswool) allowing the same thermo-insulation performance.This alternative allows at least 40% and in some cases 80% of energy savings thanks to the material which is available and can be processed into insulation panel without further transformation. It reduces CO2 emissions by avoiding to burn such waste.Our customers are construction providers who will have to comply with new EU norms in terms of eco-bilan of their construction materialsAfter initial feasibility study with HEIG-VD team, we performed industrial trials and our prototype was tested for thermo-insulation performance. The result is Lambda = 38mW/(m*K), which is in line with above mentioned materials and corresponds to industry standards.Next step is to optimise the formula, complete final trials with improved product formula and submit the product to the homologation/certification organisms Sol-Hair additional information Which market problem/opportunity we address?1. We are experiencing fundamental regulatory shifts in the EU-Construction Products Regulation which will accelerate the adoption for recycled and low-energy materials. 35mio Buildings in France alone are to be renovated by 2030 following new EU norms imposing whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Alternative building materials are required2. 30 millions tons of hair waste p.a. are generated worldwide and 30’000 tons in EU, rejecting 1 to 1.4 tons of CO2 per each ton of burned waste. Many more other countries are struggling with even more important amount of such waste What is our solution to the problem? Our offeringWe contribute to transformation of the construction industry with manufacturing and distribution of sustainable insulation panels made from recycled hair waste and additional natural binders. Our solution allows 40% to 80% of energy savings thanks to row material which is largely available and does not require raising, mining or transformation before being processed into insulation panels unlike traditional energy-intensive products such as rockwool or glasswool or even hemp. Our panels offer equally high insulation performance and additional thermo-regulation thanks to the properties of hair Who are our major customers?- Sustainable Real estate projects developers- Construction companies who will need to respect the whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets according to norms for construction materials and are forced to switch to bio-sourced alternatives- Architects- Insulation installers- Marine refurbish/builders in the 2nd step- Aerospace industry in the 2nd step Market potential- 35mio Buildings in France alone are to be renovated by 2030 following new norms imposing whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.- 27 mio m2 of bio-sourced insulation were installed in France in 2020- 14’500 New rental buildings built every year in Switzerland- Insulation materials' market worldwide represented 26bn$ in 2020 and expected to grow to 33bn$ in 2026 and only 1% is covered by bio-sourced materials today USPWe offer highly performant insulation material (Lambda = 38mW/(m*K)), certified with low GHG life-cycle assessment. Swissmade, sustainable production, helping our clients achieve GHG reduction targets imposed by recent legislation.What kind of technology are we using/developing? What is the innovation/novelty? What kind of IP protection will have to be secured?The absolute novelty is the use of hair waste for insulation. We are the first one to use it for insulation and the first one who aims to produce it at the industrial level.Insulation panels are composed from recycled hair waste and a mix of natural binders - formula and manufacturing process are subject to Patent. Many bio-sourced materials have their application issues in terms of fire or humidity resistance. We are solving these problems with unique combination of natural binders so the product meets highest standards. TeamMaria Vaccaro, CEO&Co-Founder, 20 years Management experience @ multinationals in the Industrial Design, Banking & Automotive, specialized in start-up of new activities/growth, industrialisation, finance & partnershipsYann Thomas, Co-Founder & Sourcing Director, Beauty industry entrepreneur with 20 years experience in GVA/MiamiR&D Team and advisors:Stéphane Citherlet, Prof. HES at HEIG-VD, Head of the building energy and solar thermal competence groupMarco Viviani, Prof. HES at HEIG-VD, Sustainable and concrete constructionDaniel Pahud, Senior Scientific staff HEIG-VD Achievements (What have we done sofar?)Accomplished: feasibility study & 1st sample, preliminary tests (fire&air toxicity), industrial sample, Industrial Prototype, EN 823 testing with result of lambda = 38mW/(m*K) = industry standardMarket validation in form of letters of intentAward: 1st Innovation Price Young Start-up at Rent Swizerland 2022Press: France TV 2 Telématin , RTS Forum, 20 Minutes, RTS TTC, Grand 8 Industrial prototype was successfully realized at the pilot line using 200kg hairwasteIndustrial partners secured (RM suppliers, equipment manufacturers)Academic support/linkFeasibility study was realised by HEIG-VD. Today HEIG-VD's professors and staff are collaborating with Sol-Hair as part of our R&D team: Stéphane Citherlet, Head of the building energy and solar thermal competence group Prof. HES, Marco Viviani, Prof.HES, Sustainable and concrete constructionDaniel Pahud, Senior Scientific staff HEIG-VDThe Solar thermal & Building physics Laboratory (LESBAT) of HEIG-VD confirmed its support to Sol-Hair proposal for circular economy-based insulation and will make available necessary personnel and infrastructure to reach the goals of the project, to measure the thermal conductivity and to perform the Life-cycle impact assessment.This is how we plan to use the CBI funds in case of successWhat are next stepsProduct development final phase incl. Product’s improvement (formula, binders combination, humidity film etc), industrial final trials, testing till Sep’23Certification Nov’23Start of Production for Flagship project on Pilot line Dec’23Flagship project delivery Feb’24GO-TO-MARKET (open orders in-take process). Pre-serial production on Pilot line Mar’24Sol-Hair Own Manufacturing facilities: Start of Operations Nov’24Start of Deliveries for serial productionInitial funds raised will be essentially used for Product development final phase as follows: 1. Prototype’s formula improvement2. Integration of improvement solutions (humidity, fire, weight)3. Industrial trials at the Pilot line4. Testing 5. Certification6. Patent application7. Marketing and Communication8. Flagship project productionBusiness development: Relations established with Architects and developersIntention letters received - customers are waiting for certified product, this is why the certification process is crucial for usPartnerships under discussion with global players of insulation industry, however, we need to secure our solution before entering into formal exchangeSourcing partnerships are established in Europe, but we are also currently studying global operations. Many countries have issues with waste we can use and need help in establishing the ecosystem for its evacuation.Business plan established till 2027 with revenues reaching 13mio CHF, breakeven reached in 2024 (detailed model is available on request)Discussions with VCs are currently ongoing. The crucial step for us before this is to finalise the product and go through the certification process and we hope to get the support from the CBI in this area

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Sol-Hair: Bio-sourced insulation panels, CBI Booster Call 3
• Date: 3/21/2023 8:54:34 AM
• Administrators:
  • Maria Vaccaro

Project Idea Description

1. The primary function of human hair is to insulate the human body which makes it natural performant insulator
2. 30 millions tons of hair waste p.a. are generated worldwide and 30’000 tons in EU
3. 1 to 1.4 tons of CO2 is rejected per each ton of burned waste

Our solution allows to process the collected hair waste into insulation panels which means completely bio-sourced, recycled material which represents an alternative to existing products with extremely high level of energy consumption due to extraction (e.g. rockwool) or transformation (e.g. glasswool) allowing the same thermo-insulation performance.

This alternative allows at least 40% and in some cases 80% of energy savings thanks to the material which is available and can be processed into insulation panel without further transformation. It reduces CO2 emissions by avoiding to burn such waste.

Our customers are construction providers who will have to comply with new EU norms in terms of eco-bilan of their construction materials

After initial feasibility study with HEIG-VD team, we performed industrial trials and our prototype was tested for thermo-insulation performance. The result is Lambda = 38mW/(m*K), which is in line with above mentioned materials and corresponds to industry standards.

Next step is to optimise the formula, complete final trials with improved product formula and submit the product to the homologation/certification organisms

Sol-Hair additional information

Which market problem/opportunity we address?

1. We are experiencing fundamental regulatory shifts in the EU-Construction Products Regulation which will accelerate the adoption for recycled and low-energy materials. 35mio Buildings in France alone are to be renovated by 2030 following new EU norms imposing whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Alternative building materials are required

2. 30 millions tons of hair waste p.a. are generated worldwide and 30’000 tons in EU, rejecting 1 to 1.4 tons of CO2 per each ton of burned waste. Many more other countries are struggling with even more important amount of such waste

What is our solution to the problem? Our offering

We contribute to transformation of the construction industry with manufacturing and distribution of sustainable insulation panels made from recycled hair waste and additional natural binders. Our solution allows 40% to 80% of energy savings thanks to row material which is largely available and does not require raising, mining or transformation before being processed into insulation panels unlike traditional energy-intensive products such as rockwool or glasswool or even hemp. Our panels offer equally high insulation performance and additional thermo-regulation thanks to the properties of hair

Who are our major customers?

- Sustainable Real estate projects developers

- Construction companies who will need to respect the whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets according to norms for construction materials and are forced to switch to bio-sourced alternatives

- Architects

- Insulation installers

- Marine refurbish/builders in the 2nd step

- Aerospace industry in the 2nd step

Market potential

- 35mio Buildings in France alone are to be renovated by 2030 following new norms imposing whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

- 27 mio m2 of bio-sourced insulation were installed in France in 2020

- 14’500 New rental buildings built every year in Switzerland

- Insulation materials' market worldwide represented 26bn$ in 2020 and expected to grow to 33bn$ in 2026 and only 1% is covered by bio-sourced materials today

USP

We offer highly performant insulation material (Lambda = 38mW/(m*K)), certified with low GHG life-cycle assessment. Swissmade, sustainable production, helping our clients achieve GHG reduction targets imposed by recent legislation.

What kind of technology are we using/developing? What is the innovation/novelty? What kind of IP protection will have to be secured?

The absolute novelty is the use of hair waste for insulation. We are the first one to use it for insulation and the first one who aims to produce it at the industrial level.

Insulation panels are composed from recycled hair waste and a mix of natural binders - formula and manufacturing process are subject to Patent. Many bio-sourced materials have their application issues in terms of fire or humidity resistance. We are solving these problems with unique combination of natural binders so the product meets highest standards.

Team

Maria Vaccaro, CEO&Co-Founder, 20 years Management experience @ multinationals in the Industrial Design, Banking & Automotive, specialized in start-up of new activities/growth, industrialisation, finance & partnerships

Yann Thomas, Co-Founder & Sourcing Director, Beauty industry entrepreneur with 20 years experience in GVA/Miami

R&D Team and advisors:

Stéphane Citherlet, Prof. HES at HEIG-VD, Head of the building energy and solar thermal competence group

Marco Viviani, Prof. HES at HEIG-VD, Sustainable and concrete construction

Daniel Pahud, Senior Scientific staff HEIG-VD

Achievements (What have we done sofar?)

Accomplished: feasibility study & 1st sample, preliminary tests (fire&air toxicity), industrial sample, Industrial Prototype, EN 823 testing with result of lambda = 38mW/(m*K) = industry standard

Market validation in form of letters of intent

Award: 1st Innovation Price Young Start-up at Rent Swizerland 2022

Press: France TV 2 Telématin , RTS Forum, 20 Minutes, RTS TTC, Grand 8

Industrial prototype was successfully realized at the pilot line using 200kg hairwaste

Industrial partners secured (RM suppliers, equipment manufacturers)

Academic support/link

Feasibility study was realised by HEIG-VD. Today HEIG-VD's professors and staff are collaborating with Sol-Hair as part of our R&D team:

Stéphane Citherlet, Head of the building energy and solar thermal competence group

Prof. HES, Marco Viviani, Prof.HES, Sustainable and concrete construction

Daniel Pahud, Senior Scientific staff HEIG-VD

The Solar thermal & Building physics Laboratory (LESBAT) of HEIG-VD confirmed its support to Sol-Hair proposal for circular economy-based insulation and will make available necessary personnel and infrastructure to reach the goals of the project, to measure the thermal conductivity and to perform the Life-cycle impact assessment.

This is how we plan to use the CBI funds in case of success

What are next steps

Product development final phase incl. Product’s improvement (formula, binders combination, humidity film etc), industrial final trials, testing till Sep’23

Certification Nov’23

Start of Production for Flagship project on Pilot line Dec’23

Flagship project delivery Feb’24

GO-TO-MARKET (open orders in-take process). Pre-serial production on Pilot line Mar’24

Sol-Hair Own Manufacturing facilities: Start of Operations Nov’24

Start of Deliveries for serial production

Initial funds raised will be essentially used for Product development final phase as follows:

1. Prototype’s formula improvement

2. Integration of improvement solutions (humidity, fire, weight)

3. Industrial trials at the Pilot line

4. Testing

5. Certification

6. Patent application

7. Marketing and Communication

8. Flagship project production

Business development:

Relations established with Architects and developers

Intention letters received - customers are waiting for certified product, this is why the certification process is crucial for us

Partnerships under discussion with global players of insulation industry, however, we need to secure our solution before entering into formal exchange

Sourcing partnerships are established in Europe, but we are also currently studying global operations. Many countries have issues with waste we can use and need help in establishing the ecosystem for its evacuation.

Business plan established till 2027 with revenues reaching 13mio CHF, breakeven reached in 2024 (detailed model is available on request)

Discussions with VCs are currently ongoing. The crucial step for us before this is to finalise the product and go through the certification process and we hope to get the support from the CBI in this area

Impacting Construction industry with sustainable Insulation Panels made from recycled hair waste for the first time

Our solution allows to process the collected hair waste into insulation panels, 100% bio-sourced, recycled material which represents an alternative to existing products with extremely high level of energy consumption due to extraction (e.g. rockwool) or transformation (e.g. glasswool) allowing the same thermo-insulation performance=Energy Saving and Reduction of CO2 emissions