A composite innovation business is developing a pioneering air source heat pump base made from recycled glass to transform the way the technology is installed in urban areas.
Eco Group MD Eddie Black. Image Credit: VASO by Eco
VASO by Eco, based in the south of Scotland, has developed the composite material as an alternative to concrete, to decarbonize the installation of heat pumps in towns and cities.
This week the business started collaborating with the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB) led by the University of Edinburgh to enhance the capability of the innovative product and refine the solution, with an objective of fast-tracking heat pump installations.
The UK government aims to significantly increase heat pump installations, targeting 600,000 installations per year by 2028.
This goal is part of the broader strategy to decarbonize heating and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
VASO by Eco is a world-first construction innovation, creating structural composite panels made from recycled glass.
VASO by Eco’s build solutions create buildings from the panels, providing affordable, low energy cost, low carbon homes.
The VASO by Eco Heat Pump Base Panel will contribute significantly to reducing the carbon footprint in air source heat pump applications.
It plays a crucial role in an integrated system which enhances speed of installation, reduced carbon emissions and better quality of the installation.
The high-quality VASO by Eco recycled glass panels will be designed to absorb vibrations more effectively than concrete, reducing noise and wear on the heat pump, potentially extending its lifespan.
It offers better thermal insulation compared to concrete, improving efficiency by helping maintain a more stable temperature around the heat pump. The material is also more resistant to cracking and settling, ensuring long-term stability and performance.
This green economy innovation, which is being developed at Eco Group’s HQ at Annan, in Dumfries and Galloway, aims to enable installations at volume globally.
CeNZ-HighDB, is a new UKRI-funded research center to support and develop Net Zero solutions for high density buildings and streetscapes.
The center collaborates across the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Strathclyde, West of Scotland and Edinburgh Napier, as well as BE-ST, Scotland's national innovation centre for construction and the built environment.
At the moment 55 % of the world’s population live and work in urban areas and this figure is expected to rise to 68 % by 2050.
Eddie Black, Managing Director of VASO by Eco, said: “We are thrilled to have the support of CeNZ-HighDB with our product development. Locations with high density building areas have some of the biggest challenges in meeting net zero ambitions.
“This is just one of the many reasons why there is such a critical net zero challenge, not just for the UK, but globally too.
“Our heat pump base panels will play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint and time of the installation as well as enhancing performance.
“This will be a vital step towards meeting the UK government’s target of increasing heat pump installations and decarbonizing heating.”
Professor Sean Smith, centre director for CeNZ-HighDB, stated: “The VASO system has potential to accelerate the delivery of air source heat pumps, underpinning the green transition whilst delivering on a circular economy pathway."
VASO by Eco was recently shortlisted for a Circular Economy Award in BE-ST’s Accelerate to Zero Awards 2025 which take place on November 6, at Òran Mór in Glasgow.
BE-ST’s awards celebrate the businesses, organizations and individuals making the biggest contribution to decarbonization in the built environment and championing a just transition to zero carbon.