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Exclusive partnership to expand straw panel construction in the UK & Ireland

EcoCocon and Ecological Building Systems announce exclusive partnership to expand straw panel construction in the UK & Ireland

In a significant move for sustainable construction, EcoCocon, a leading European manufacturer of prefabricated straw wall panels, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Ecological Building Systems, a well-established distributor of sustainable building materials in the UK and Ireland.

The partnership will make EcoCocon’s innovative straw-based wall system more accessible to professionals across the UK and Irish construction markets — combining bio-based innovation with localised technical expertise.

EcoCocon’s modular wall panels are made primarily from compressed straw and timber, offering Passive House-level thermal performance while significantly reducing embodied carbon. The system is robotically manufactured in Europe to ensure precision, consistency and scalability — making it a viable solution for both single-family homes and large-scale developments.

With the addition of EcoCocon to its portfolio, Ecological Building Systems will provide full distribution and technical support, including design consultation, detailing, training, and on-site assistance.

“We’re proud to partner with EcoCocon to bring this next-generation ecological wall system to our region,” said Penny Randell, UK Director and General Manager at Ecological Building Systems. “It aligns perfectly with our mission of supporting healthy, low-impact buildings through science-led guidance and proven building solutions.”

Adrian Crosson, Irish Director & General Manager at Ecological Building Systems, stated:

“From the beginning, Ecological has focused on low embodied carbon solutions that are durable, purpose-fit for the UK and Ireland, and supported by expert technical guidance from design through to construction. By combining EcoCocon straw wall panel systems with our trusted technical support, we’re making sustainable building more accessible and achievable than ever before.”

 

EcoCocon has been used in hundreds of projects across Europe, from schools and apartment buildings to custom homes and co-housing developments. The system is fully certified, supports circular construction, and is designed for fast on-site assembly, reducing build time and waste.

 

“This partnership marks a key step toward scaling up ecological construction,” adds Paul Lynch, International Sales & Network Manager at EcoCocon. “Our aim is to make sustainable, low-carbon buildings not only possible, but practical. With Ecological Building Systems, we have the right partner to support that journey in the UK and Ireland.”

The two companies emphasise that this collaboration is about more than materials — it’s about enabling the construction sector to meet the growing demand for climate-conscious, human-centric buildings.

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Enhanced fire protection with SMARTPLY

 

Climate change is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed, particularly in the construction industry as buildings are responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions1. This has led to demands to use more timber, and the release of new resources addressing concerns over fire safety in timber construction. For example, in March, the timber industry launched a new fire safety website Fire Safety – Wood in Construction, which is designed to give all construction professionals free access to information and guidance all in once place. So what can aide fire safety in timber buildings for MMC?

 

Flame retardant panels
For applications where enhanced fire protection is needed, flame retardant panels should be specified. The right flame retardant panels will help improve fire safety when timber is the main building material. Flame retardant wood panels have been developed specifically for the use in fire-rated applications where a Euroclass B or Euroclass C material is required. As wood is combustible, the highest rating a wood panel can achieve with added flame retardance is Euroclass B.  Wood panels are treated with flame retardant solution to enhance its reaction to fire to limit the spread of flame and slow the development of a fire, especially in the very early stages of a fire when evacuation is vital.
What’s even more crucial, is that flame retardant wood panels also have a much lower burn temperature after ignition, and a slower char rate. This means that the panels burn far more predictably and allows occupants more time to evacuate from a building.

Making the smart choice
When it comes to specifying flame retardant panels for a MMC project, SMARTPLY MAX FR B from MEDITE SMARTPLY is the ideal product. It is a structural, moisture resistant OSB/3 panel with outstanding and reliable reaction to fire properties and is ideal for use where strength, moisture resistance and improved flame retardance are paramount.
A water-based, non-toxic flame retardant solution is applied to the wood chips during manufacture, and the panel achieves a Reaction to Fire Classification of B-s2, d0, and Bfl-s1 (flooring) in accordance with EN13501-1. It is the maximum rating for reaction to fire that an engineered wood panel can achieve – offering great peace of mind to contractors, architects and specifiers.  Since the wood chips are treated during manufacture, no additional flame retardant edge treatments are required when the panel is cut. In addition, light sanding of the surface of the panel will not affect its reaction to fire performance because the flame retardant treatment is consistent through the panel thickness. However, excessive sanding of wood panels is not recommended as it may affect other essential characteristics in use.  SMARTPLY MAX FR B has no structural defects such as knotholes and core voids, making it easier to work with. It cuts easily, will not delaminate and gives consistent results.

Suitable for both dry and humid interior applications. SMARTPLY MAX FR B is suitable for structural use in both Service Class 1 (dry interior) and Service Class 2 (humid interior) applications.

These innovative panels are independently certified for the most demanding structural applications in permanent constructions (wall sheathing, flooring and roofing), as well as general free-standing applications where enhanced reaction to fire performance is required. Applications include: timber frame construction, furniture, shop fitting, general joinery, exhibition stands, and stage construction.  Environmentally conscious products

 

With the growing demands to make timber buildings safer, there are also calls to use more sustainable timber. MEDITE SMARTPLY meets both of these demands.  MEDITE SMARTPLY is renowned for adapting products and services to suit end users’ needs whilst maintaining a consistent stance on sustainability and creating environmentally conscious products that add value throughout the supply chain.

SMARTPLY OSB is made using only newly grown pine and spruce, including the tops which are not used to make any other wood-based product. It’s manufactured by compressing precisely engineered strands of woods with resins at high temperature to create an incredibly strong and versatile panel suitable for onsite and offsite construction.  MEDITE SMARTPLY’s environmentally conscious products ensure a sustainable building material, storing carbon throughout the lifespan of the product and the building they are used within. Sourced from our sustainably managed FSC certified forests in Ireland2, MEDITE SMARTPLY’s engineered wood panels are proof of the company’s commitment to creating products that contribute to sustainable and healthier environments.  The MDF and OSB ranges also provide some of the most environmentally efficient building materials on the market, with product-specific Type 3 Environmental Product Declaration3 to support this.

CLICK HERE to find out more about SMARTPLY MAX FR B and how it can help in MMC applications

 

1 Embodied Carbon – World Green Building Council (worldgbc.org)
2 MEDITE SMARTPLY is part of Coillte, an innovative, FSC certified Irish forestry and forest products manufacturer
3 mdfosb.com/en/sustainability/our-sustainable-products/environmental-product-declarations

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