Brimstone thermally modified timber

SCOPE:

Working in close collaboration with Vastern Timber, we helped bring Brimstone Thermally Modified Timber from concept to commercial reality. The first product of its kind manufactured in the UK. Brimstone transforms low-value, homegrown hardwoods such as ash, poplar, and sycamore into high-performance, durable, and dimensionally stable timber suitable for exterior use. The project represents a major step forward for the UK timber industry, bridging the gap between the growing demand for durable exterior materials and the need to create markets for underutilised native species.

DELIVERY:

Our involvement spanned every stage of the Brimstone journey, from early research and feasibility studies to funding and production support. Initially, we worked alongside Grown in Britain and BRE to undertake pre-production feasibility work, exploring both the technical and market potential of thermally modified British hardwoods. As the concept gained traction, we partnered directly with Vastern Timber to oversee the research and development process, ensuring that the transformation from idea to viable product was both scientifically robust and commercially strategic.

We managed the production of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), supporting Vastern in evidencing the sustainability credentials of the new material. Our team also worked closely with the company’s leadership to develop a successful capital investment funding bid, which ultimately enabled the construction and commissioning of the UK’s first thermally modified timber plant at Vastern’s Wootton Bassett site.

The result is a pioneering new material and manufacturing process that redefines what’s possible with British-grown timber. Today, the Brimstone plant operates at full capacity, turning low-value hardwoods into a high-value engineered product with significant domestic and international market potential. For us, it stands as one of the most exhilarating examples of innovation, collaboration, and impact within the UK timber industry.

COLLABORATORS:

Grown in Britain, BRE