Arctic Insulated Panels wins second R & D funding round to pioneer tropical building products
Territory company Arctic Insulated Panels is investing in new tropics-proof building materials. Read what it means.
A Territory designed and built insulation panel constructed to withstand tropical cyclones has breezed through its first Territory test this weekend.
Arctic Insulated Panels manufactures trim deck profile for roofing used in verandas, carports and patios, as well as coolroom panels, which can also be used in transportable buildings and remote housing.
Arctic Insulated Panels managing director Gary Burns said his product was unaffected by the sustained 150km/h plus winds generated on Saturday and early Sunday by Tropical Cyclone Fina
He said during the R & D phase, Arctic’s insulated panels were subjected to Category 5-equivalent winds, so he was unsurprised they easily survived TC Fina.
“All of the transportable guys we supply to and all the builders who did the verandas and carports say everything’s been successful,” Gary said.
“There’s been no news about anything kicking off. To be fair, we did test the panels through James Cook University’s cyclonic station, and that was up against Category 5 winds, and there’s definitely been no reports of flying panels.”
Arctic was supported and assisted developing the insulated panels with a $500,000 co-contribution from the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund, administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, which supports state and territory governments to boost local manufacturing jobs.
Mr Burns said when he first spoke with AMGC’s NT director Charmaine Phillips in about 2021, the business was down to its last $90,000. It now employs about 50 people in Darwin and SA and valued at about $6m.
“That was right at the part where we really needed some help and without Charmaine and the co-contribution, we probably wouldn’t have come through,” Gary said.
With the $500,000 funds expended and the panels in production, the AMGC has made a second co-contribution, this time to manufacture Soffit Boards for installation under roof eaves for ventilation, moisture protection and to heighten thermal performance.
The $476,004 co-contribution with Arctic.
The $2.4m project would see Arctic develop and commercialise an energy-efficient sustainable insulation board designed specifically for the NT’s heat and humidity.
“This project gives builders access to a locally made, high-performance soffit board that meets or exceeds energy efficiency requirements under the National Construction Code,” Gary said. It means more local jobs, reduced project costs, and greater self-sufficiency for the Territory.
“The project will employ an in-house chemist to lead research and development activities, optimising product quality and developing a unique chemical formulation. Arctic will design and commission fit- for-purpose PIR production machinery, to be custom built for Arctic’s proprietary process.”
The second contribution to Arctic Insulated Panels was the 16th and final project funded under the scheme, totalling $32.1m prompting more than 300 new jobs and generating more than $160m over five years into the economy.
Ms Phillips said Arctic deserved the second co-contribution under the scheme.
“Arctic is a worthy recipient of the AMEF’s final funds, demonstrating the impact of manufacturing and the importance of continuing to foster Northern Territory capability,” she said. “This local manufacturer also demonstrates the substantive gains for local jobs and the economy when industry is supported to scale.”
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Originally published as Arctic Insulated Panels wins second R & D funding round to pioneer tropical building products
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