Thermocill

Thermocill is an affordable energy saving solution, designed to keep houses warm, save money and improve indoor air quality. The product, made from 100% nylon, works by directing the air from a radiator up and against the panes of a winder, creating a warm curtain in front of the glazing. Keith Rimmer, Founder and Director of Thermocill is an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of EcoPod, a successful eco-friendly heating system for large buildings established in 2010.

In coming to the SMI Hub via the Advice strand, Thermocill were looking for expert help to carefully examining the suitability and sustainability of recycled nylon for application in this product, as well as with potential future new product designs. The SMI Hub assessed the suitability of different materials for the manufacturing of Thermocill, which included investigations of the mechanical and physical properties as well as recyclability and sustainability.

Other innovative materials will also be considered for future development of the product including hemp, the use of which is becoming more widely recognised for its potential to help fight climate change.

“The University of Manchester and the SMI Hub played a key role in helping to support the development of Thermocill, from the initial idea and concept through to real-world application. Finding a sustainable material to make the product from has always been a critically important element, to maximise the positive environmental impact of Thermocill.

With the first major production run taking place soon we’re at an exciting stage in this journey and it’s very exciting that together, we’ve developed a product that will have a positive impact on energy efficiency and fuel poverty very soon.”

 

Keith Rimmer, Director, Thermocill

Product performance has been verified by the Energy Saving Trust, with headline benefits including a 14 per cent reduction in the energy needed to heat up a room and a 150kg reduction in CO2 emissions per year for each household where Thermocill is installed.

Next steps

Thermocill are taking forward the SMI Hub’s free sustainability advice and would like to try other recyclable materials for the product, particularly those that are plastic-free or those that end up in landfills.  They also have plans to develop new products aim to reduce energy loss and improve ventilation in houses and would be keen to link with the Hub again for input the in selection of appropriate materials.