UK Hempcrete

What UK Hempcrete does

UK Hempcrete Limited, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Cromford, Derbyshire, is a privately-held UK specialist in hempcrete (hemp-lime) and other bio-based construction materials. The company operates an integrated service stack that spans technical consultancy, in-house architectural design (Studio Bio, established 2019), bio-based material supply via the Natural Building Store e-commerce platform, PAS 2035-compliant retrofit consultancy (Retrofit Right), hands-on training courses, and continuing professional development (CPD) sessions for architects. Its underlying technology centres on hempcrete — a wet-mixed, cast-on-site bio-composite of hemp shiv and hydraulic lime binder that combines insulation and thermal mass in a single vapour-permeable layer — with proprietary variants including a hybrid precast-block/cast system and a research-stage self-repairing bacterial limewash developed with the University of Hertfordshire.

The business model combines professional services revenue (consultancy, architectural design, training, CPD, retrofit advisory) with hardware margins from material supply via Natural Building Store, including ISOHemp's certified precast hemp blocks. Go-to-market is consultative and education-led: free webinars, CPD sessions, partner-hosted training at Brighton Permaculture Trust, the Centre for Alternative Technology, Derbyshire Eco Centre and Nottingham Energy Partnership, plus case-study content and a co-authored reference book (The Hempcrete Book, 2014). The customer base spans individual homeowners and self-builders, practicing architects and building designers, contractors, developers, and heritage retrofit clients, with the UK as the primary served market and limited international consultancy delivered remotely. The company is founder-led by globally-recognised hempcrete expert Alex Sparrow (Director) with Liam Donohoe as COO, operates with no disclosed external funding, and has shifted from contracting toward specialist consultancy and design-led services.

Name

UK Hempcrete

Legal name

UK Hempcrete Limited

Website

https://ukhempcrete.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UK Hempcrete is a UK specialist in hempcrete and bio-based construction, offering consultancy, architectural design (Studio Bio), bio-based material supply (Natural Building Store), PAS 2035 retrofit advisory (Retrofit Right), and training to homeowners, self-builders, architects, contractors, and heritage clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Construction Services and Bio-based Building Materials

NAICS

Drywall and Insulation Contractors (238310), Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing (321992)

SIC

Concrete, Gypsum & Plaster Products (3270), Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Hempcrete construction services
• Bio-based building materials
• Retrofit consultancy
• Sustainable construction training
• Natural building supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Cromford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consultancy Services: Technical consultancy sessions for architects, building designers and clients on hempcrete detailing, planning issues, and budget estimates. Includes Skype/Zoom sessions for overseas clients.
2. Architectural Design Services (Studio Bio): In-house design practice established 2019 providing architectural design services at RIBA stages 1-7 including feasibility, concept, planning, technical and construction stage. Provides specialist bio-based technical detailing.
3. Training Services: Hempcrete training courses ranging from introductory one-day sessions to two-day intensive courses. Also provides bespoke on-site training packages for contractors.
4. Retrofit Right Consultancy: Specialist retrofit consultancy service for traditionally constructed buildings, including Retrofit Assessors, Coordinators and Designers. Adheres to PAS 2035 standard.
5. Material Supply: Supply of hempcrete products, bio-based insulation materials, wood fibre boards, and associated low carbon building products through Natural Building Store.
6. CPD Sessions: CPD sessions for architects and building professionals on designing and building with hempcrete.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UK Hempcrete designs, supplies, and installs hempcrete (hemp-lime) and other bio-based low-carbon building materials for residential and commercial new-build and retrofit projects. Through its sub-brands Studio Bio (architectural design), Natural Building Store (online material supply), and Retrofit Right (PAS 2035 retrofit consultancy), it also delivers specialist design, supply, training, and CPD services to homeowners, self-builders, architects, contractors, and developers.

Product overview

UK Hempcrete is a construction and consultancy company offering a comprehensive suite of services centered on hempcrete (hemp-lime) and bio-based construction materials. The portfolio comprises core construction and consultancy services (UK Hempcrete brand), an in-house architectural design practice (Studio Bio, established 2019), an online material supply store (Natural Building Store), a specialist retrofit consultancy brand (Retrofit Right), professional training and CPD services, and a published reference book. These offerings work together to guide clients from initial concept through design, material supply, construction, and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hempcrete Construction Specialist hempcrete construction services for residential and commercial projects, including site-cast hempcrete, precast blocks, and spraying applications, delivered as main contractor or specialist sub-contractor.
• Studio Bio Design Services In-house architectural design practice providing specialist bio-based construction design services including technical detailing, dynamic thermal modelling, moisture risk analysis, and specification for hempcrete buildings across RIBA stages 1–7.
• Natural Building Store (Material Supply) Online storefront supplying cutting-edge bio-based and low-impact building products including hempcrete blocks, hempcrete system components, wood fibre boards, lime renders, and associated sustainable construction materials.
• Retrofit Right Consultancy Retrofit consultancy specialising in traditionally constructed buildings, providing PAS 2035-compliant assessments, coordination, and design using bio-based insulation materials and vapour-permeable approaches.
• Hempcrete Consultancy Technical consultancy services for hempcrete and bio-based material projects, including design-stage advisory sessions, detailing assistance, and report writing for planning and historic-building applications.
• Hempcrete Training Courses Hands-on and theory-based training courses for contractors, self-builders, and architects on hempcrete construction techniques and installation, ranging from introductory one-day sessions to two-day intensive courses and bespoke on-site training.
• CPD Sessions for Architects Continuing professional development sessions for architects and building professionals on designing and specifying with hempcrete and bio-based materials, available on a regional and individual-practice basis.
• The Hempcrete Book: Designing and building with hemp-lime Published reference book (2014) co-authored by Alex Sparrow, covering background concepts, practical construction, and design detailing for hemp-lime construction, distributed globally including via Amazon and Green Books.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hempcrete buildings maintain comfortable internal temperatures (22°C during 39°C heatwave) without mechanical cooling
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• University of Hertfordshire (Zero Carbon Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Research collaboration to develop pioneering self-repairing bacterial limewash coating for building surfaces. Uses non-pathogenic bacteria to form calcium carbonate barrier against erosion. Funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through Design Exchange Partnership programme.
• Whyte & MackayflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Partner for field trials of self-repairing limewash at Isle of Jura Distillery. Project aims to reduce maintenance frequency, lower carbon emissions, and support Whyte & Mackay's zero-carbon commitments.
• ISOHempcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK Hempcrete distributes ISOHemp hemp blocks in the UK. These are fully certified, dry, solid, regular blocks that arrive on site ready for construction. Partnership enables hybrid construction approach.
• GreenCore ConstructionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner for prefabricated hempcrete panel systems.
• Brighton Permaculture TrustcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegular training course host for two-day hempcrete training courses at Earthship in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Course open to all ages 16+ covering theory and practice in new build and retrofit.
• Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner for 'Hempcrete: Retrofitting for Self-builders' one-day course focusing on use of hempcrete for insulation in traditional and historic buildings.
• The Energy Agency (Ayr)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts CPD webinars and free webinars on low carbon retrofit using hempcrete and biobased materials as part of their professional development programme.
• Nottingham Energy PartnershipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaborates on 'Practical Introduction to Conservation Retrofit' 8-week course delivered one day per week, introducing retrofit principles for traditionally constructed buildings.
• Green BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher of The Hempcrete Book: Designing and building with hemp-lime by Alex Sparrow and William Stanwix.
• Nimtim ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on hemp-built extension project in Croydon, London. Featured in Dezeen magazine. First-time hempcrete project for the architecture practice.
• Adam Carr BuildersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead contractor for North Yorkshire Radical Retrofit project. Trained by UK Hempcrete in hempcrete and natural material installation.
• Pat Dalton PlasteringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for hempcrete spraying and plastering on internal wall insulation project in Chesterfield.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Chanvribloc: French manufacturer of industrialised hempcrete blocks for residential construction. Similar product category to UK Hempcrete's hybrid block system but serves primarily the French market.
• Cavac Biomatériaux: French agricultural cooperative producing bio-based building materials including hempcrete and wood-fibre insulation. Comparable bio-based construction product range but focused on the French market.

Broad incumbents

• Knauf Insulation: Major global insulation manufacturer offering a broad range of thermal and acoustic insulation products, with growing exposure to natural and bio-based ranges. Represents the conventional incumbent competition UK Hempcrete must displace.
• Saint-Gobain: Global building materials group with a broad portfolio of insulation, lime, gypsum, and increasingly bio-based products. Could compete directly with UK Hempcrete as it expands bio-based envelope offerings at scale.
• Kingspan: Global building envelope specialist in insulation, insulated panels, and roofing. A scale incumbent whose entry into bio-based insulation would directly threaten UK Hempcrete's specialist positioning.

Direct peers

• IsoHemp: Belgian manufacturer of certified hempcrete blocks and hemp-lime building systems. Direct peer in hemp-based envelope materials, and an active distribution partner supplying UK Hempcrete's hybrid block construction system.
• HempFlax: Dutch hemp fibre processor supplying raw hemp shiv and other hemp-based industrial inputs. Comparable as a foundational hemp building materials supplier and potential upstream alternative to IsoHemp blocks.
• Hempitecture: US-based hemp building materials and insulation company offering hempcrete, HempWool, and bio-based panels. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated hemp-lime specialist serving residential, commercial, and retrofit markets.
• Ty-Mawr Lime: Welsh manufacturer and supplier of lime mortars, plasters, renders, and natural building materials including hemp-lime systems. Closest UK peer competing for the same self-build, heritage, and eco-construction customers.
• Lime Technology: UK supplier of lime-based construction products, breathable renders, and natural insulation systems including hempcrete. Competes for heritage retrofit and eco-build specification work in the same channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ukhempcrete
• Facebookfacebook.com/ukhempcrete
• Instagraminstagram.com/ukhempcrete
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uk-hempcrete

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UK Hempcrete