SCIC ielo
SCIC ielo is a French cooperative that develops and commercializes Phi®, a 100% chopped wheat straw insulation product for timber frame construction, serving artisans, architects, distributors, and farmers through a 188-member sociétaire network and certified technical training programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBonneuil-matours, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SCIC ielo does
SCIC ielo is a French Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif (SCIC) founded in 2021 and headquartered in Bonneuil-Matours, with operational offices in Limoges. The cooperative develops and commercializes Phi®, a 100% chopped wheat straw insulation product applied via mechanical insufflation into timber frame wall cavities. The product is certified by ACERMI at λd = 0.046 W/(m·K) with a thermal phase shift exceeding 13 hours, and is ATEx cas A approved for vertical walls compliant with DTU 31.2 and DTU 31.4. The cooperative aggregates 188 sociétaires across the value chain: farmers supplying wheat straw, artisans and contractors performing installations, architects and engineering firms specifying the product, and distributors reselling regionally.
ielo operates a hybrid revenue model combining material sales (€500/tonne wholesale to sociétaires, full semi-trailer minimum of 13.52 tonnes direct) with professional training programs (2-day implementation training and 1-day prescription training at €800/participant). Distribution runs through direct sales for large orders and a sociétaire distributor network for smaller quantities. Installation pricing ranges from €33/m² (20cm) to €55/m² (45cm). The cooperative also offers complementary products including chopped straw for plasters and straw granules (€1-2/kg). Reference projects include an 11-story Passivhaus social housing building in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (38 tonnes) and a school campus in Bourg-la-Reine (93.6 tonnes). All surplus is reinvested into R&D and sector development rather than distributed as dividends. The company faced financial pressure in 2024-2025, triggering an Extraordinary General Assembly in May 2025 to address equity dilution and governance changes.
SCIC ielo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SCIC ielo
- Legal name
- SCIC SA ielo
- Website
- https://ielo.coop
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SCIC ielo is a French cooperative that develops and commercializes Phi®, a 100% chopped wheat straw insulation product for timber frame construction, serving artisans, architects, distributors, and farmers through a 188-member sociétaire network and certified technical training programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SCIC ielo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biosourced Building Insulation
- NAICS
- Mineral Wool Manufacturing (327993), Drywall and Insulation Contractors (238310)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reflective Insulation & Radiant Barriers (IMADAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Drywall, Plastering & Insulation (EDAOAAAE)
Keywords
Where SCIC ielo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bonneuil-matours
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
SCIC ielo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Chopped straw insulation sales: ielo generates revenue primarily through the sale of Phi chopped straw insulation. Sales are made directly for full semi-trailer orders (13.52 tonnes) and through distributor partners for smaller quantities. The cooperative structure means profits are reinvested into R&D and sector development rather than distributed as dividends.
- Training programs: ielo offers professional training programs including a 2-day 'Mise en Oeuvre' (implementation) training and 1-day 'Prescription' (specification) training. These contribute to revenue while building the qualified workforce needed for proper installation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 20cm thickness installation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 45cm thickness installation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale insulation material |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Prescription training program |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
SCIC ielo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SCIC ielo develops, manufactures and distributes Phi®, a 100% chopped French wheat-straw insulation product, plus complementary chopped-straw and granules for plasters, and a paid training program (Mise en Œuvre implementation and Prescription) that qualifies installers and prescribers. The cooperative sells insulation via direct full-truck orders and a network of sociétaire distributors to construction professionals, architects, distributors and public-sector clients in France for timber-frame walls and roofs (new build and renovation).
Product overview
SCIC ielo operates as a cooperative (SCIC - Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif) producing biosourced insulation solutions from chopped wheat straw. The core product is Phi®, a 100% natural insulation material without additives, applied via mechanical insufflation into wood-frame wall and roof cavities. The product portfolio includes the main Phi® insulation, specialized chopped straw and granules for plaster/render finishes, and professional training programs (Mise en Œuvre and Prescription) delivered through partner training centers. Phi® is validated under ATEx cas A for vertical walls and has obtained ACERMI certification with λd = 0.046 W/(m·K).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Phi® (Paille Hachée ielo) — Chopped wheat straw insulation 100% chopped French wheat straw insulation without additives, compostable and biodegradable, applied via mechanical insufflation into closed timber-frame cavities. ACERMI-certified thermal conductivity λd = 0.046 W/(m·K), density 105–115 kg/m³, fire classification E, thermal phase shift >13 hours for 30 cm thickness. Sold to construction professionals, architects and distributors for new-build and renovation of timber-frame walls and roofs.
- Paille hachée spécial enduits (Chopped straw for plasters) Chopped straw specially formulated and sized (5–10 mm, 10–15 mm, 15–20 mm) for incorporation into plaster and render finishes, providing natural humidity regulation, crack resistance and a luminous aesthetic with visible straw flakes. Sold by the kilogram (priced between 1 and 2 EUR/kg depending on quantities) to construction professionals and plasterers.
- Granulés de paille ielo (Straw granules) Straw granules from ielo for plaster and render applications, regulating moisture in mixtures and facilitating a homogeneous finish appearance. Sold by the kilogram (priced between 1 and 2 EUR/kg depending on quantities) to construction professionals.
- Formation Mise en Œuvre (Implementation Training) Two-day paid professional training program for construction companies and artisans on proper insufflation techniques for Phi® insulation, covering site preparation, equipment usage (Xfloc, Isofloc), support analysis, implementation in various configurations and defect correction. Delivered with the Fédération Compagnonnique des Métiers du Bâtiment and partner training centers across France.
- Formation Prescription (Prescription Training) One-day paid training program (800 EUR HT per participant) for architects, project managers, engineering firms and local authorities on specifying chopped straw insulation, covering technical aspects, project sizing, cost control, risk anticipation, material properties and sales specification. Delivered to groups of 8–15 participants across France.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thermal conductivity of 0.046 W/(m.K) certified by ACERMI
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SCIC ielo
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
SCIC ielo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature6 records
SCIC ielo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Distributor network (societaires)coreBuilding material distributors who have become societaires and resell Phi insulation regionally. They provide proximity service, flexible quantities, possible equipment rental, and competitive pricing.
- Cooperative de La TricheriecoreAgricultural cooperative supplying wheat straw for Phi insulation production. Represents the upstream agricultural link in the cooperative supply chain.
- Brin d'OrcoreAgricultural partner site hosting cooperative activities and General Assemblies. Represents the upstream agricultural link.
- Federation Compagnonnique des Metiers du BatimentcorePrimary training partner delivering implementation and prescription training programs for Phi insulation across France. Network of training centers throughout the country.
- Les SCOPminorCooperative network organization that ielo is a member of, providing peer support and cooperative best practices.
- Fibois NAminorRegional wood and biobased materials federation. Organized site visits and production tours with ielo.
- RFCP (Reseau Francais de la Construction Paille)minorFrench Network for Straw Construction. Industry organization supporting straw building techniques and standards.
- OdeysminorInnovation catalog listing ielo as an innovative solution provider for ecological construction in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
- UniLaSalle RouencoreUniversity laboratory collaborating on CIFRE thesis research into hygrothermal performance and fungal resistance of chopped wheat straw insulation.
- Universite de CaencoreUniversity collaborating on CIFRE thesis research into chopped wheat straw insulation performance.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SCIC ielo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Gutex: German/Swiss manufacturer of wood-fiber insulation boards and blow-in insulation for timber construction, with growing presence in the French market. Comparable as a natural-fiber insulation specialist with technical focus on phase shift, summer comfort, and timber frame wall assemblies.
- Unger-Diffutherm: German manufacturer of wood-fiber insulation boards and flexible insulation marketed across Europe. Comparable to ielo as a natural-fiber insulation player with focus on timber frame and ecological construction, though primarily distributed in DACH rather than French markets.
- Hunton Native AS: Norwegian manufacturer of wood-fiber insulation boards and battens for timber construction. Comparable in product philosophy (natural wood/bio-based insulation) and target market segment (timber frame builders, sustainable construction) but focused primarily on Scandinavian markets.
Direct peers
- Isonat: French producer of wood-fiber and hemp insulation products (panels, rolls, loose-fill) for timber frame and roof applications. Headquartered in the Loire region and serving the same French building professional channel with similar ACERMI certifications and insufflation-friendly product formats.
- Biofib Isolation: French manufacturer of biosourced insulation from hemp and flax fibers, offering loose-fill, panels and rolls distributed through building material wholesalers. Directly comparable to ielo in target market (French building professionals), regulatory positioning (ACERMI/FDES), and biosourced material philosophy.
- Homatherm: German manufacturer of flexible wood-fiber insulation batts and blow-in insulation optimized for timber frame wall cavities via insufflation. Highly comparable to ielo in product format (loose-fill/insufflated bio-fiber insulation), application technique, and ACERMI-equivalent certifications.
Broad incumbents
- Pavatex (Soprema group): Swiss-origin wood-fiber insulation brand now owned by Soprema, distributing flexible wood-fiber insulation and rigid panels across Europe. Comparable to ielo's wood-frame wall insulation focus but with much broader international reach and a parent's larger R&D and marketing resources.
- Steico: One of Europe's largest wood-fiber insulation manufacturers, offering flexible insulation, rigid boards, and I-joists marketed heavily in France. Comparable to ielo as a biosourced insulation specialist but operates at much greater scale with a broader product portfolio across multiple categories.
- Saint-Gobain Isover: French market-leading glass and stone wool insulation manufacturer with comprehensive product lines, large R&D budgets, and dominant share of the French renovation market. Comparable as a French insulation supplier targeting the same building professionals but operates at vastly greater scale with mineral rather than biosourced products.
Others
- LafargeHolcim / Hager & Elsaesser (straw panel producers): Adjacent sector players including straw-bale construction associations (RFCP network partners of ielo) and prefabricated straw panel manufacturers like La Maison de la Paille. Comparable as part of the broader French straw construction ecosystem ielo operates in, though they build structural elements rather than supply loose-fill insulation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SCIC ielo social profiles
Digital presenceSCIC ielo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
SCIC ielo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SCIC ielo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SCIC ielo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SCIC ielo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SCIC ielo
What does SCIC ielo do?
SCIC ielo develops, manufactures and distributes Phi®, a 100% chopped French wheat-straw insulation product, plus complementary chopped-straw and granules for plasters, and a paid training program (Mise en Œuvre implementation and Prescription) that qualifies installers and prescribers. The cooperative sells insulation via direct full-truck orders and a network of sociétaire distributors to construction professionals, architects, distributors and public-sector clients in France for timber-frame walls and roofs (new build and renovation).
Is SCIC ielo a public or private company?
SCIC ielo is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SCIC ielo founded?
SCIC ielo was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SCIC ielo based?
SCIC ielo is headquartered in Bonneuil-matours, France, in the Europe region.
How does SCIC ielo make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Chopped straw insulation sales are the primary driver. The others are training programs.
Who are SCIC ielo's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Gutex, Unger-Diffutherm and Hunton Native AS. Direct peers are Isonat, Biofib Isolation and Homatherm. Broad incumbents are Pavatex (Soprema group), Steico and Saint-Gobain Isover. LafargeHolcim / Hager & Elsaesser (straw panel producers) is listed as an others.
Does SCIC ielo have an API?
No public API is recorded for SCIC ielo.
What industry is SCIC ielo in?
SCIC ielo's product category is Biosourced Building Insulation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAGAF, Reflective Insulation & Radiant Barriers, with a secondary code of EDAOAAAE, Drywall, Plastering & Insulation. Its NAICS code is 327993 and its SIC code is 5030.