A Livingston biotechnology company is preparing to open its first production facility as demand grows for its peat and coir-free growing media, made entirely from UK-sourced materials including sheep's wool.
SilviBio develops sustainable propagation mixes for the horticulture and forestry sectors, using a patent-pending process to turn underutilised British wool and other UK-sourced materials into a growing substrate that performs as well as, or better than, the peat-based products it's replacing.
The company has worked closely with growers from the start, with the aim of cutting emissions without asking them to sacrifice reliability or margins in a market where both are already under increasing pressure.
The technology’s development has been supported by IBioIC through its role as the Cluster Management Organisation for the Scottish Bio-based Manufacturing Launchpad, led by Innovate UK, which invests in regional innovation clusters to drive sustainable productions, bio-based products and industrial bio-technology growth across Scotland.
Pressure to move away from peat continues to build, but many commercial growers operate on tight margins and can't afford the risk of adopting untested materials. SilviBio has focused on developing products that work within the cultivation methods and equipment growers already use, rather than asking them to redesign their production systems.
In commercial forestry, the growing media has shown promise in supporting young Scots pine and Sitka spruce seedlings. Because it holds its shape during handling and transplanting, it helps protect delicate root systems and cuts the losses that can occur when other growing media break apart.
SilviBio is also developing the technology for salad crop production. Its growing blocks are designed to hold their structure throughout automated production and transplanting, so growers can adopt peat-free materials without overhauling existing infrastructure.
One of SilviBio's key differentiators is its use of British wool, a resource that often generates limited value for farmers due to competition from cheap synthetic fibres. By finding a new use for lower-grade wool, SilviBio is helping to create demand for this material while keeping the supply chain within the UK.
The environmental impact matters too. Peatlands store huge amounts of carbon, but harvesting peat releases it back into the atmosphere and damages fragile ecosystems in the process. SilviBio's growing media is estimated to cut emissions by around 90% compared with peat, and by roughly 50% against some existing peat-free alternatives.
SilviBio is now preparing to open its first production facility in Scotland ahead of the next growing season in early 2027, moving from pilot-scale production to commercially viable volumes. It's a step that will support wider adoption across horticulture and forestry, while creating skilled jobs and contributing to Scotland's growing bioeconomy.
Dr Alicja Dzieciol, Founder and CEO of SilviBio, said: “After years of research and collaboration with growers, we are building our first factory here in Scotland to commercialise PROPA, our 100% UK sourced peat-free solution. This represents the next step in our vision for a more resilient and circular.”
Philip Shelton, COO at SilviBio, said: “Growers have been using peat for longer than most of us have been alive, so asking them to switch isn't a small change when entire production systems have been built around it for decades. We've always started by listening to growers, rather than developing a solution and hoping it fits. Sustainability on its own isn't enough - growers need products that help them grow plants reliably and profitably too.
“At SilviBio, we're showing that peat-free alternatives can deliver in the real world. The next step is scaling up and getting more product into growers' hands.”
Kirsty Neilson, Programme Manager, UKRI Launchpad Cluster Management Organisation at IBioIC said: "SilviBio demonstrates exactly the kind of innovation we're working to support through the Launchpad programme.
“The company has built something that directly addresses the challenges growers face as the industry moves away from peat, while creating new opportunities for farmers and strengthening supply chains here in the UK. It's been fantastic to watch the team's progress, and we're looking forward to supporting the next stage of their growth."
Following the launch, SilviBio will focus on increasing output and proving the technology works at larger commercial scales to support wider adoption of peat-free growing systems across the UK.
