Green Angel Ventures is excited to announce that Dekiln, a portfolio company developing kiln-free ceramic tiles, has been awarded £3 million by the Royal Academy of Engineering as part of its Green Future Fellowship programme.
The Fellowship provides long-term support and funding to help scale some of the UK’s most promising engineering solutions tackling climate change. Dekiln is one of 13 solutions selected nationwide in the programme’s first cohort.
Dr Aled Roberts, Founder & CEO of Dekiln, has developed a proprietary process to manufacture ceramic tiles using plant-derived binders and waste mineral powders, eliminating the need for energy-intensive kiln firing. The result is a product with the look and performance of traditional ceramic tiles, but with a carbon footprint up to 94% lower and containing over 95% recycled content.
The Green Future Fellowship funding will enable Dekiln to scale its technology towards industrial production by first developing a pilot manufacturing plant to increase production. The goal is to integrate its technology into existing tile manufacturing processes, providing a viable low-carbon alternative for the ceramics industry.
Since Green Angel Ventures’ initial investment in 2024, Dekiln has achieved several key milestones, including the completion of its first commercial installation, relocation to larger premises, and preparations to open a showroom in early 2026.
Antoine Pradayrol, Chief Investment Officer at Green Angel Ventures, said:
“Dekiln has gone from strength to strength since our initial investment. This Fellowship from such a prestigious organisation is a huge vote of confidence in their technology and team, and we’re excited to support them as they scale kiln-free tiles, helping make it the norm across the industry.”
Dr Aled Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Dekiln, said:
“The ambition of the Fellowship is to prove at an industrial scale that you can have the same tile without the kiln, dramatically lowering carbon emissions and energy costs. By solving engineering challenges and working with industry partners, this project could provide a low-carbon, sustainable alternative for the tile industry and help revive manufacturing in the UK.”
The Green Future Fellowship programme is supported by a £150 million long-term investment from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and provides awardees with up to 10 years of funding alongside mentorship, training and access to the Royal Academy of Engineering’s network.