In October 2013 Kent County Council was awarded a grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on behalf of the European Regional development Fund (ERDF) for £1.2 million towards the cost of delivering the £2.3 million Kent-wide Low Carbon+ Project.
All applications for funding are appraised before they are considered by the Low Carbon+ Grants Panel. Criteria for appraisal includes;
- Jobs created as a result of the project;
- The contribution of the project to the wider economic growth (through for example the development of a new product or process that will lead to supply chain impacts or wider productivity gains);
- The contribution of the project to resource efficiency and carbon reduction;
- Private sector leverage
FlueCube’s grant application received positive feedback and the panel were keen to fund such an innovative product. They were particularly pleased that FlueCube were marketing the product nationally.
FlueCube Ltd started trading 2 years ago. The innovative FlueCube was invented in New Zealand by director Neville D’Herville. The UK operation is now run by his son, Matthew, and cousin Ashley Martin who are actively marketing the FlueCube in Europe.
The FlueCube is made in the UK by SFL, Britain’s leading flue manufacturer, from 316 stainless steel and was tested for carbon reduction at the University of Colorado and found to reduce particles. Over the last 18 months FlueCube has seen a steady growth in sales built predominately through word of mouth. In particular, those suffering with problems with their wood burning stoves, commonly caused by outside factors such as atmospheric pressure, are experiencing great results once they have fitted the FlueCube chimney cowl.
The FlueCube acquired a 5 star rating with the independent rating agency Feefo. Ashley Martin Managing Director of FlueCube said “This is a wonderful endorsement for a UK manufactured product. The grant awarded to us by Low Carbon Kent will be used to help market the FlueCube and raise its profile across the UK. For us, this is perfect because we believe in the FlueCube. It’s a great product, reduces carbon, saves on fuel and is made to last.”
