An innovative Dumfries-based construction firm aiming to transform how homes are built in the UK has secured more than £5m in funding to accelerate its low-carbon building technology and manufacturing capabilities.
VASO Global has developed a pioneering system that converts waste glass into high-performance structural composite panels, enabling the rapid construction of modular homes. By combining digital design, integrated manufacturing and semi-autonomous construction, the company says it can deliver affordable, thermally efficient housing at significantly faster speeds than traditional methods.
The funding package includes £1.4m from PXN Ventures, £621,000 from Scottish Enterprise, a £2m loan from Innovate UK Loans Limited, and £800,000 from delivery partner ECO Group. The business had previously secured £330,000 from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) to support the early commercialisation of its technology.
The investment will support the development of a new 60,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Dumfries, with plans to create up to 70 jobs over the next five years. It will also enable VASO Global to refine its production processes and establish routes to market as it prepares for further growth.
The company’s approach has been highlighted as a potential solution to the ongoing housing shortage across the UK and Scotland, particularly following the Scottish Government’s declaration of a national housing emergency in 2024. By repurposing waste materials into high-value building products, the model also contributes to the circular economy while strengthening regional manufacturing.
Eddie Black, co-founder and managing director of VASO Global, said: “We want to thank all those who have seen the potential in our technology. The latest investment from PXN Ventures and Scottish Enterprise, along with all our other funders, accelerates our journey to deliver a product which can genuinely reshape how homes are delivered – cleaner, faster and with far less waste.
“We would also like to thank Professor Sean Smith at the University of Edinburgh for his reports and expert support, funded by the UKRI Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings, which has helped underpin VASO’s plans and products to reach this stage of our development.”
Tom Croy, investment director at PXN Ventures, added: “At PXN we back companies solving real problems, and the UK’s housing shortage is about as real as they get. We’re proud to support Eddie and the team as they scale a genuinely sustainable way to build not just houses but other essential buildings.
“VASO Global’s recycled composite panels enable builders to build far faster than traditional methods, with the company expecting to cut construction time from 33 weeks to 10 on an upcoming project in Scotland.”
Scottish Enterprise said the investment aligns with its mission to support high-growth, innovative companies capable of delivering economic impact across Scotland.
Derek Shaw, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “VASO Global is a fantastic example of an ambitious Scottish company with the potential to transform how low-carbon homes are delivered at pace and scale, while creating job opportunities and strengthening the South of Scotland’s manufacturing capability.”
The wider economic impact is expected to be significant for the South of Scotland, with the project supporting skills development, job creation and increased manufacturing capacity in a predominantly rural region.
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Gary Robertson, opportunity strategist at ECO Group, said: “Sustainable, affordable housing is not just a social good – it is the foundation of economic resilience. This investment will help provide valuable skills, training and job opportunities to boost the region’s economy.”
VASO Global is already exploring its building solutions for community-led housing projects and working alongside universities, architects and housing bodies to scale industrialised construction across Scotland.
The funding announcement follows two senior board appointments, with Graham McDonald joining as chairman and Douglas Morrison, deputy CEO of Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), taking on a strategic advisor role as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.
