Returning unused wool insulation to the production line is a commitment Terra Lana shares with installers Absolute Energy and carriers RMT Logistics, whose passion and drive have helped create a truly circular manufacturing system.

Based in the top of the South covering Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough, and with branches in Queenstown and Dunedin, Absolute Energy has become an important partner in Terra Lana’s recycling programme, and they are proactive in ensuring their offcuts of wool insulation are returned to the factory to be re-used.

Connecting the two is freight carrier RMT Logistics, who play an essential role in both delivering Terra Lana orders to the customer and picking up offcuts from various collection points for the return journey, thus closing the recycling loop.

Supporting a truly homegrown product

Fundamental to the strength of the partnership is the fact that both companies are owner-operated, with RMT Logistics’ Rob McDougall and Absolute Energy’s Paul Brockie bringing their enthusiasm for the many benefits of a homegrown, natural product.

‘When I started getting involved with energy efficiency in the early 2000s, I was interested in wool insulation as a natural product,’ says Paul. ‘I wanted to provide a range of options to our customers, so Terra Lana became one of our lines, and now we work with them like a family.’

‘There’s a lot more awareness now of wool insulation, with its natural breathing properties and moisture control. People are also looking to reduce their carbon footprint and waste, and the partnership with RMT Logistics and Terra Lana supports this outcome too.’

Increased volumes create efficiencies

Initially, Absolute Energy would drop the Terra Lana offcuts at a depot in Blenheim for RMT Logistics to pick up on their return run north. ‘Paul used to take the recycled offcuts all the way from Nelson to Blenheim for me to take back to Terra Lana, so I wouldn’t have to detour on my way down to Christchurch, he was that committed’ says Rob, ‘but Absolute Energy is now installing so much more Terra Lana insulation products in Nelson that RMT Logistics has more trips there and can easily pick up the offcuts, as we supply the next order.’

Paul uses a wool press to compress offcuts into fadges – wool bales of around 120kg – which Rob then returns to Terra Lana’s Christchurch factory. There it is returned to the manufacturing line to create more insulation, to be delivered to customers around the country.

Partnerships based on a shared purpose

In creating and maintaining this efficiency, the most important attribute has been a shared respect and enthusiasm for working together.

‘Though our relationship only began two years ago, three-quarters of our freight is now with Terra Lana,’ says Rob, ‘and we’re highly committed to them.’ Paul notes, ‘Rob is a great guy, he’s easy to deal with and nothing’s a problem. And the Terra Lana team is great to work with too. We’re all on the same page, which is fantastic. It makes doing business enjoyable.’

Talk to our team

Contact our team to find out which Terra Lana product is right for your project. Email us at spec@terralana.co.nz or you can phone us on 0800 485 262.

Project credits

Writer: Folio