Natural Building Systems

Name

Natural Building Systems

Legal name

Natural Building Systems

Website

https://naturalbuildingsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prefabricated Modular Construction

NAICS

Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing (321992)

SIC

Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Modular & Prefabricated Home Construction (IMAFABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Residential Green / High-Performance Home Construction (Net-Zero, Passive House) (IMAFABAH)

Keywords

• Prefabricated modular construction
• Biobased building materials
• Hemp composite insulation
• Low-carbon construction systems
• Demountable building panels

Headquarters

HQ city

Walpole

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ADEPT Prefabricated Building System Sales: Sale of the ADEPT panelised modular construction system including structural wall, floor and roof panels, and internal partition systems. Components are manufactured off-site in a factory-controlled environment and sold directly to developers, self-builders, and construction firms. Cost is typically around £3,000/m2 for a two-storey dwelling, with components comprising approximately one-third of total build cost.
2. Licensing and Franchise Partnerships: Plans to transition from direct manufacturing to licensing the ADEPT system to regional manufacturing partners and franchisees. First licensed manufacturing partnership targeted for early 2025. This model enables scaling without proportional increase in headcount.
3. Professional Services: Assisted self-build option where Natural Building Systems assembles the building envelope, internal walls, floors, and roof, with customers or local tradespeople completing plumbing, electrics, and internal finishes. Site supervision options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Natural Building Systems designs, manufactures, and sells the ADEPT® panelised modular building system, a prefabricated construction solution built from bio-based materials such as hemp, timber, and wood fibre. The system comprises demountable wall, floor, roof, and internal partition panels sold to developers, architects, construction firms, public sector bodies, and self-builders. The company also produces HempSil® bio-composite insulation and HempSil® acoustic tiles as standalone and integrated offerings.

Product overview

Natural Building Systems offers a unified platform of sustainable construction products centered on the ADEPT® panelised modular building system. This core product is complemented by HempSil® Tiles, an acoustic tile offering. The ADEPT system consists of prefabricated structural wall, floor and roof panels combined with internal partition systems, all featuring demountable components made from climate-positive biobased materials including hemp, timber, and wood fibre. The system is designed for rapid assembly, energy efficiency, and full circularity through disassembly and reuse.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ADEPT: A modular building system developed by Natural Building Systems using hemp-based materials for climate-positive construction.
• HempSil

Products and services

• ADEPT Modular Panelised Building System A prefabricated modular construction system using precision-engineered panels made from hemp, timber, and wood fibre. Delivered as a kit-of-parts including moisture-regulating, low-carbon structural wall, floor, roof panels and internal partitions, with all components demountable and reusable. Suitable for residential buildings up to 11m upper floor height and commercial buildings up to 8 stories with integrated engineered timber primary structure. Sold to developers, self-builders, construction firms, and public sector bodies.
• HempSil Tiles Acoustic tiles combining the moisture-regulating properties of HempSil with a natural aesthetic. CO2-capturing, breathable tiles made from UK-grown hemp shiv bound with minerals that are formaldehyde-free and low VOC. Suitable for various adhesives and surface finishes including clay or lime-based plasters, for interior applications.
• HempSil Bio-Composite Insulation A patented, uniquely formulated insulating material developed in Natural Building Systems' laboratory, comprised primarily of hemp shiv with a low-carbon binder. Produces a rigid insulation board with lower density and better insulation properties than hempcrete, does not require intensive drying, and offers moisture regulation, thermal buffering, and fire retardancy. Used within the ADEPT system and available as a standalone bio-composite insulation product.
• Assisted Self-Build Envelope Assembly Service A professional service where Natural Building Systems assembles the ADEPT building envelope, internal walls, floors, and roof for self-build customers, who then complete plumbing, electrics, and internal finishes with local tradespeople. Site supervision options are available. Targeted at self-builders who want climate-positive construction with reduced embodied carbon.

Quantifiable outcome

• Meadowcroft home achieved EPC rating of 114A, carbon negative in construction, with net 725 kWh energy consumption over nine months of occupation.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ArcFlowcoreTechnology or Integration · 25 July 2024AI-enabled cloud ERP system provider for the Digital Innovation Fund project. Implementing AI-driven ERP to improve manufacturing operations, reduce manual data entry, identify material shortfalls, and automate production workflows.
• IF_DOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice collaborating on multiple projects using the ADEPT system, including the HAUS installation at elementalLONDON and the Mill House retrofit in Laxfield. IF_DO is a key design partner contributing to the visual identity and specification of Natural Building Systems projects.
• Simple WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner on the Old Newton Primary School project, shortlisted for the Construction News Awards MMC Project of the Year.
• Mixbrow ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner on the Old Newton Primary School project alongside Simple Works.
• KOPEsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner in the Digital Innovation Fund project contributing to digital integration in modular construction.
• GS1 UKcoreTechnology or IntegrationStandards organisation providing common language for identifying, capturing and sharing data. GS1 standards power supply chains and enable RFID tagging, digital product passports, and material traceability throughout the construction lifecycle.
• DIGIT Lab, University of ExetersupportingTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in the Digital Innovation Fund project, contributing academic expertise in digital innovation for the construction sector.
• CirculandcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital product passport platform enabling traceability of materials and components throughout their lifecycle. Supports end-of-life reclamation and reuse, providing clients with detailed product and material data through a web-based 3D viewer forming a whole-building passport.
• Fronius UK LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar inverter supplier for the HAUS installation at elementalLONDON. Provides high-efficiency solar inverters enabling reliable renewable generation.
• Don & LowsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced breather membranes manufactured in the UK for durable, moisture-safe envelopes. Partner on the HAUS installation.
• Triton ShowerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK trusted name in energy-efficient shower systems. Partner supplier for the HAUS installation.
• NIBEsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading heat-pump technology for low-carbon heating and hot water. Partner supplier for the HAUS installation.
• OneClick LCAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-leading life-cycle assessment and EPD software supporting carbon transparency and analytics. Partner on HAUS hosting workshop 'Your EPD is More Than a PDF'.
• Price&MyerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil and structural engineering practice delivering excellent buildings across a broad range of types and scales. Engineering partner on HAUS.
• University of Suffolk Sustainability InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research collaboration including paludiculture projects planting reeds and Typha on the Norfolk Broads. HAUS will become a teaching space at the university. Partner on the ADEPT ecosystem development.
• Coillte (SmartPly OSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIreland's national forestry semi-state, producer of SmartPly OSB used in the ADEPT system. Coillte introduced Natural Building Systems to the 2050 Accelerator programme. OSB supply sourced from Ireland.
• CHCx3 (Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership funded by DEFRA and led by NIAB, developing new UK-grown construction products and enhancing the evidence base for carbon capture potential of locally grown biogenic construction materials including hemp, miscanthus, reeds, and typha.
• NIABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading UK crop science research organisation leading the CHCx3 project in partnership with Natural Building Systems for developing bio-based construction products from short-cycle crops.
• Broads AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on paludiculture project planting reeds and Typha on the Norfolk Broads to revitalise wetland farming and develop sustainable local supply chains for construction materials.
• Dogpatch LabssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the 2050 Accelerator programme, an international sustainability accelerator connecting startups with industry, government, and academia to accelerate the transition to net-zero. Based in Dublin.
• Places for LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of London's largest landowners, focused on leveraging land assets to create a greener, more connected city. Matched with Natural Building Systems through phase two of the Mayor of London's Better Futures Net Zero Innovation Challenge.
• SONAS BathroomssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerElegant, durable bathroom sanitaryware supplier for modern homes. Partner on the HAUS installation.
• Parkside Architectural TilessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign-led tile collections for sustainable, adaptable finishes. Partner on the HAUS installation.
• EcoDuctsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-made pre-insulated ductwork for lightweight, high-efficiency ventilation. Partner on the HAUS installation.
• K&T ElectromechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding services firm specialising in mechanical and electrical design, consultancy and installation. Partner on the HAUS installation.
• Make Me WithsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegenerative design and supply chain platform. Co-hosted a workshop and hackathon at Futurebuild 2025 within the Natural Building Systems bar area.
• SensiosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreators of human-centred LED lighting that enhances comfort and efficiency. Partner on the HAUS installation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TopHat: UK-based modular housing manufacturer using factory precision-engineered timber panel systems for self-build and developer housing. Closely comparable to NBS in panelised timber modular construction and self-build channel targeting.
• Wernick Group: One of the UK's largest modular and prefabricated building manufacturers, offering timber-framed modular homes and buildings for residential, education, and commercial sectors. Directly comparable to NBS as a UK modular competitor with similar volumetric/panelised offerings, though Wernick uses conventional timber frame rather than bio-based composites.
• Project Etopia: UK developer and modular builder focused on zero-carbon, energy-efficient homes using panelised construction. Comparable to NBS in sustainable, low-carbon prefab housing positioning and eco-conscious buyer targeting.

Broad incumbents

• Legal & General Modular Homes: Large UK modular housing operation backed by Legal & General, targeting volume residential development at scale. Competes in the same modular residential category but at much greater scale and with conventional materials.
• Kingspan Group: Global leader in insulated panels and building envelope systems, including timber frame and insulated panel products. Competes in the broader panelised construction and high-performance insulation categories.
• Saint-Gobain: Global building materials major with insulation and timber frame offerings (Isover, Weber, Pasquill). Competes broadly in high-performance building envelopes, with growing sustainability positioning relevant to NBS's value proposition.
• Sekisui House (formerly Lumiere Homes UK): Japanese-headquartered modular housing major that entered the UK market through Wrexham-based operations, targeting volume homebuilding. Broad UK MMC competitor with conventional timber-frame modular systems.

Emerging players

• Tradical / Hempcrete Direct: UK suppliers and contractors specialising in hemp-lime (hempcrete) construction materials and builds. Directly comparable to NBS at the material/building component level for bio-based hemp construction, though focused on traditional hempcrete rather than HempSil composites.
• Carbon Dynamic: UK timber frame manufacturer producing closed-panel timber systems for low-energy homes, with focus on natural materials and offsite construction. Comparable niche overlap with NBS's bio-based panelised approach, though smaller scale.
• Plant Prefab: US-based sustainable modular home manufacturer focused on factory-built custom and multi-family housing with sustainable materials. International peer with comparable sustainable modular positioning though different materials and geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/naturalbuildingsystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturalbuildingsystems

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Natural Building Systems