Eco Insulation – Wool Based Thermal Insulation
In Auckland, New Zealand, Greg and Sue Sweeney won the 2007 Westpac Enterprise North Shore business excellence awards with their wool-based thermal insulation product called Eco Insulation.
Started in the couple’s dining room, Eco Insulation keeps houses warm in winter, cool in summer and reduces noise and dampness in the home. It is a product that overall helps fight global warming as it assists in reducing the amount of energy required to warm or cool a house.
Eco Insulation has supplied insulation to more than 12,000 homes in New Zealand, including 7000 Housing New Zealand units, saving many millions of kilowatt hours of energy.
These wool-based insulation products are for both home and commercial buildings using excess fibre from the manufacture of woolen carpets.
Launched in the late 1990’s, the business struggled for the first 2 years which forced Mr Sweeney back into teaching until sales picked up. However, Eco Insulation is booming and has recently moved into new premises to accommodate growing staff and product. It’s pricing is quite competitive since it purchases the excess wool fibre from carpet manufacturers.
Mr Sweeney says “wool is a natural insulator, non-toxic, sustainable, recyclable and draws moisture from living spaces.” The idea was born when the Sweeneys were blowing loose wool fibre into lofts to form a bed of insulation above the ceiling of a spare room. They realized this approach was not suitable and that is when Mr Sweeney approached a textile manufacturer with the idea of turning loose wool fibres into thick thermal blankets.
Eco Insulation sells its product both in New Zealand and internationally. This is a great opportunity for international businesses who wish to partner with Eco Insulation or resell their products. Since sustainable environmentally friendly products are part of a growth industry, Eco Insulation is an excellent product to consider.
