A major disruptor in the UK construction sector, based in the South of Scotland, is benefiting from a £330,000 grant to propel its pioneering recycled‑glass building technology.

Vaso by Eco, developed by the Annan-headquartered Eco Group, converts waste glass into high-performance structural composite panels designed for rapid, low-carbon modular construction.

The funding, provided by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) with innovation support from Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), marks a critical milestone in moving the technology from proof-of-concept to full-scale commercial rollout. The investment will facilitate rigorous testing within a live manufacturing environment and support the setup of a new production facility in Dumfries.

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The VASO system has been highlighted as a potential solution to Scotland's housing crisis. The modular technology allows for a four-bedroom house superstructure to be manufactured in under four hours and assembled on-site in just four days. The panels offer superior thermal performance, fire resistance, and durability, backed by a 60-year warranty.

Eddie Black, CEO of Vaso by Eco, said: "This is a huge vote of confidence for the game-changing industrialised construction process we're developing. We've always believed Vaso can change the way the UK thinks about construction, and this support helps us prove it at full scale. It accelerates our journey from an idea with potential to a product that can genuinely reshape how homes are delivered – cleaner, faster, and with far less waste."

The project also aims to build a full-scale demonstrator house constructed entirely from the recycled-glass system to showcase its speed and low-carbon credentials. Beyond housing, the expansion is expected to create up to 70 new jobs over the next five years, strengthening the circular economy by turning waste materials into high-value building components.

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, commented: "The South of Scotland has a reputation as a region where innovation is encouraged and supported. This collaboration with Vaso by Eco, BE-ST, and SOSE ensures a joined-up approach to driving innovation. These initiatives showcase the ideas and the innovation that come from our rural businesses here in the South of Scotland."