SPONSORED CONTENT: Innovative Shetland company scoops environment business award
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Sponsored Content by: Nortenergy, Polycrub Company
Nortenergy, the Shetland-based Polycrub Company, has scooped a national award in the VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards.
It was one of four companies to receive an outstanding achievement award in recognition of its commitment to tackling environmental impacts and reducing carbon emissions.
The Polycrub concept started life as part of a Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC) community project in 2007. Folk in the Shetland community of Northmavine were keen to reduce food miles and grow fresh produce undercover, but they couldn’t find a product that would withstand the Shetland climate, long-term.
So, they developed their own. The design utilises waste pipe from the aquaculture industry to create storm-strength polytunnels to withstand the wild Shetland weather.
A Climate Challenge Fund grant allowed 12 super-strength growing spaces to be built in Northmavine and each super-strength structure was split into shared plots.
Once the community growing project was complete, it attracted lots of interest from other community groups and individuals who wanted to buy the product. The Polycrub was born and they are now sold in kit form as far away as Greenland and the Falklands.
The Polycrub company trades as Nortenergy Ltd, a successful social enterprise. The company is a trading arm of NCDC, a charity that works alongside local people to regenerate Northmavine. Profits from the Polycrub company are reinvested in Northmavine.
Polycrubs are very popular with individual growers who need a robust growing space. Schools and community groups can often access grant funding for Polycrub growing projects, and crofters could also be eligible for funding support through the CAGS grant system.
Polycrubs are structurally accredited to a wind rating of 120mph, if built to spec. Over the years, the company has developed and improved the initial range which now includes Peerie Polly, a 3m wide Polycrub; Polycrub Classic, a 4m wide range and Polycrub Opyl, a 4m wide structure, suitable for storage or small livestock and poultry. Each range comes in a variety of lengths.
Click here to find out more on their website
