London, UK – 17 February 2026 – BioTwin, a developer of low-carbon alternatives to conventional construction products, today announced the first UK installation of its hemp-based BioStud partition studs at the Sciopolis development in North Acton. This is the first time BioTwin’s pioneering technology has been adopted in the UK marking a significant step forward in low-carbon building solutions.
The installation demonstrates how plant-based construction technologies can be integrated into major development projects without compromising performance or build efficiency. BioTwin’s hemp studs are engineered to provide strength comparable to conventional materials while dramatically reducing embodied carbon and improving the performance of the walls that surround us.
Manufactured using hemp fibres, BioStuds are lightweight and designed to improve wall performance, including acoustics and thermal properties, while reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional steel studs. Their use at Sciopolis’s North Acton development illustrates the company’s commitment to exploring innovative materials that support sustainability targets and responsible urban development.
“Steel studs are hidden in our walls, but they carry a heavy carbon cost across fit-outs and retrofits. This pilot proves a simple swap. A hemp-based stud that installs the same way contractors already work, in a live project with real constraints.” said Kit Chong, CEO, BioTwin. “Sciopolis in North Acton is exactly the kind of live project where new building technologies should be proven. If we can make low-carbon the default for internal partitions, it’s a meaningful step toward cleaner buildings at scale.”
“At Sciopolis, we are committed to supporting innovators. This also means trialling pioneering technologies that align with our sustainability ambitions and provide these companies with demonstrator sites.” said Charlie Mitchell, CEO, Sciopolis. “BioTwin’s hemp stud system offers a compelling combination of environmental benefit, performance potential and innovation- making it an exciting addition to our latest project.”
Clare Lowe, Innovation Lead, Built Environment, Undaunted, “We’re delighted to see the connection between Biotwin and Sciopolis turn into a live pilot installation. This is exactly what our Better Futures Retrofit Accelerator programme set out to achieve, using real-world pilots to prove that innovation can become business as usual. We’re also pleased to be supporting Biotwin’s next stage of commercialisation through our Earthscale programme”.
The Sciopolis development in North Acton, opening in summer 2026, is a forward-thinking innovation hub providing laboratory and office space to science and technology innovators.
By integrating BioTwin’s hemp studs, the project showcases practical applications of bio-based materials within contemporary construction frameworks, as well as its commitment to supporting innovation.
About BioTwin
BioTwin is a materials innovation company replacing high-carbon building components with bio-based alternatives that work on site without changing how teams build.
Its first product, BioStud, is a hemp-based partition stud developed for internal walls in commercial fit-outs and retrofit projects. By combining familiar installation with lower-carbon materials, BioTwin aims to make low-carbon specification easier to adopt at scale across offices, education and other high-activity interiors.
Website: www.biotwin.co.uk
About Sciopolis, 1 Portal Way
Sciopolis is delivering and operating the new Innovation Hub at 1 Portal Way for Imperial College London, opening in summer 2026.
Designed to address London’s critical shortage of affordable grow‑on lab space, the 55,000 sq ft hub will offer ready‑to‑occupy CL2 labs and flexible offices, shared equipment and direct connections to Imperial’s academic and incubator networks, with the support of Imperial Incubator. It will host early‑stage science and technology scale‑ups that need adaptable space without upfront capital investment, helping them grow while remaining embedded in a university‑linked innovation ecosystem.
Sciopolis specialises in creating and operating high‑quality, community-led Innovation Hubs. It partners with landlords, universities and local authorities to convert existing buildings or deliver new ones quickly. With plans underway to expand its network of sites, Sciopolis is helping to deliver and activate 1 Portal Way as a key node within Imperial’s Old Oak Innovation Cluster and as part of WestTech London, the globally competitive ecosystem that is driving frontier innovation and entrepreneurship, to support the next generation of science and technology businesses in London.
