1. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
TECHNICAL SHEET MICRO- LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN NATURAL
MATERIAL
INTERVIEW WITH ED WALKER,
MATERIALS CHEMIST, CORNISH LIME
COMPANY, BODMIN
1. SUPPLY STRUCTURING
Can we find the material on the
territory?
Lime is quarried and calcined at Buxton in Derbyshire, and then brought to Cornwall where
it is processed into useable products. It is processed into lime putty in Cornwall. This
involves slaking, hydrating & then settling & maturing the lime for 4 months. Hydraulic lime
is purchased from St Astier in France. The range of materials processed and sold include:
Natural hydraulic lime
Prompt (Natural cement)
Lime putty wet ready mix
Heavy aggregates
Paints – some are processed in Cornwall
Limewash manufactured in cornwall from Buxton lime
Also planning to start selling dry ready mix mortar based on hydraulic lime.
Objective of the technical sheet :
Analyse whether there is a micro
local supply chain or not,
Identify potential constraints that
could hamper the development of
the use of targeted natural material
CONCERNED MATERIAL :
EARTH
STRAW
HEMP
CELLULOSE WADDING
WOOD
LIME
GEOGRAPHICAL SPACE
BRITANY
CORNWALL
DEVON
2. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
Can we estimate the production capacity?
Yes, CLC is the only producer – they produce 1200 tons/year. This will be increasing by 20-
30% in next 6 months as the company recently secured planning permission for 6 new
settling tanks (in addition to existing 14).
Is there a natural material supply-chain organization?
Not aware of any local organization to promote the use of lime.
The Mortar industry Association is the main umbrella for the sector (although this covers all
types of materials not only natural ones).
The Lime Builder’s Forum is the specialized one national organization for natural lime.
Informal networking does take place and this is a result of CLC having worked hard over a
number of years to establish their market position and work with regular clients. CLC have
an established group of regular customers who help them develop products by testing them,
they are currently being invited to an evening event to test new products.
CLC offer training sessions and telephone advice to regular and new customers. Training
days:
General intro to lime for DIYers & general builders
Plastering day for plastering professionals
Geoff Orton comes down to Cornwall to deliver a masterclass for specialist
plasterers.
Who purchases the materials?
Builders Merchants, self-employed builders, and individual DIYers.
CLC has regional, local and national customers. They are offering a really good product that
is in demand – the lime putty has been exported to France, US and used in renovation of an
annex to Buckingham Palace.
Is there a collective organisation to pool the purchase of materials (ex : cooperatives,
etc.) ?
No
3. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
Are there incentives to favour the development of production capacity of companies?
CLC has developed the market and is benefitting from high demand. Has been selling all
the product they make. The settling tanks have been a pinch point in production capacity
and the new tanks will address this, with possible future further expansion. EW thinks the
new tanks have been privately financed by the CLC.
CLC have built the market through good service, product, advice & training, building their
network over a number of years. Attending Royal Cornwall Show etc each year for
public/trade profile.
Are there research actions locally on the specific supply chain?
Some contact with academic researchers and occasional queries. Bristol Uni are doing
some work on pozzolans.
Are linked made between researchers and companies?
R&D networking – EW went to St Astier to work with them on new renders, mortars,
plasters.
2. LINKS BETWEEN THE VALUE CHAIN
What are the trades/engineering/companies and actors linked to the concerned
material?
Builders & plasters, merchants, DIY, sometimes insulation stuff with hemp
Is there an economic monitoring on the supply chain?
No
Is there a label or a project of label on the concerned natural materials?
Not aware of any local ones.
3. STIMULATING DEMAND
Is there a control policy on the origin and quality of used natural material?
ISO9001 and CE Mark.
4. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
Is there an institutional and public communication to favour the use of natural material
in building on the territory?
Eden and CSBT promote natural building materials, but EW is not aware of public sector
support e.g. from council.
Are there reference houses/buildings on the territory?
This is done informally by individual tradesmen showing examples of their work to
prospective customers.
Are there incentive measures such as specific tax exemption?
Requirements on low embodied carbon materials (I am not sure what this refers to).
