The Story Behind IndiNature: Rethinking the Future of Building Materials

At a time when the construction industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, IndiNature stands out as a compelling example of how low-carbon innovation can reshape traditional material systems. Based in Scotland, IndiNature produces natural fibre insulation products using industrial hemp — offering a bio-based alternative to conventional insulation, without compromising on performance.

Their mission is direct: to make it easy to build with natural materials. In doing so, IndiNature is enabling architects, developers, and contractors to meet sustainability targets while contributing to circular, regenerative supply chains. It’s a bold vision — and one that’s gaining ground fast in the green building movement.

The Founder’s Vision

IndiNature was co-founded by Scott Simpson, a trained architect with a deep concern for the environmental impacts of conventional construction. His frustration with the lack of scalable, truly sustainable materials led to a shift in focus — from design to manufacturing. With IndiNature, he set out to build a solution from the ground up, using nature as the blueprint.

From the early days of R&D in a modest setup, IndiNature has grown into a full-scale operation with a proprietary production line and strong backing from the Scottish National Investment Bank. Key milestones include:

• Development of IndiTherm®, the flagship hemp insulation product
• Opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Scottish Borders
• Securing national and EU grants to expand bio-based product innovation

The Mind Behind IndiNature

Scott’s background combines architectural practice and ecological thinking. Before launching IndiNature, he worked internationally on sustainable building design. This experience shaped his approach — bringing both technical rigor and creative ambition to the founding of the company.

A Day at IndiNature

Scott is a Founder and the innovator entrepreneur who set up the mill and its team and developed the products. After leading the company as CEO for the first six years of start-up, he is now focused on process and product development to maximise margins and performance for competitive advantage and secure and scale higher value non-woven market opportunities.

While working in community development with people in poor housing conditions, he was motivated to improve the health of people and the planet by focusing on a sustainable built environment. After completing an MSc in Architecture (Advanced Environmental and Energy Systems) and researching natural bio-based construction materials in the lab, Scott rebuilt his family home with them in Scotland using skills gained as a builder in Vancouver. Finding gaps in the market, he brought together co-founders and a team to develop and manufacture the world’s best sustainable construction insulation on an industrial scale — and set up the UK’s first dedicated natural fibre insulation factory.

A typical day sees him splitting time between the factory floor and external stakeholders, ensuring that IndiNature continues to set new standards in sustainable manufacturing.

Overview of the Factory

Located in the Scottish Borders, IndiNature’s factory is the UK’s first dedicated natural fibre insulation plant. Powered in part by renewable energy, the facility was designed for low emissions and minimal waste, setting a new precedent for material manufacturing in the UK.

• Built with carbon-conscious construction practices
• Utilizes local hemp crops to reduce transport emissions
• Designed for modular expansion as demand grows

Behind the machines is a small but agile team of engineers, technicians, and sustainability experts. Each team member plays a key role in scaling operations while upholding the company’s environmental standards.

From seed to insulation, the IndiNature production process is designed to minimize environmental impact:

• Sourcing: Hemp is sourced from UK farms, often within 100 miles.
• Processing: Raw stalks are mechanically processed to extract fibre, avoiding harsh chemicals.
• Forming: The hemp fibre mixture is formed into flexible thermal insulation batts, known as IndiTherm®, which are soft to the touch, easy to handle and flexible to install
• Quality Control: Each product batch undergoes strict testing for thermal, fire and acoustic performance.

Featured Hero Product: IndiTherm®

IndiTherm® is a flexible, breathable insulation batt made from natural hemp. It offers:

Excellent Thermal Performance: IndiTherm delivers low thermal conductivity (0.039 W/m·K), helping to keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer, improving energy efficiency.

Natural and Sustainable: Made from UK-grown hemp, IndiTherm is renewable, carbon-negative, and recyclable or compostable at end of life — making it a planet-friendly insulation choice.

Breathable and Moisture-Regulating: Its vapour-permeable structure buffers humidity, helping to reduce condensation and support healthier indoor air quality.

Acoustic Insulation: IndiTherm also provides effective sound absorption, enhancing comfort by reducing noise transfer within buildings.

Safe and Easy to Handle: IndiTherm contains no harmful irritants or synthetic fibres, making it safe to touch and install without special protective gear.

IndiNature’s full product range is now available on the 2050 Materials Platform, offering digitized product data for each product, enabling:

• Instant comparisons & specification downloads
• Integration into digital design workflows