Dragonfly Silica Aerogel

Dragonfly Advanced Materials is a silica aerogel maker based in Prudhoe, Northumberland, United Kingdom, spun out of Newcastle University in 2020. The company states it runs the only silica aerogel production in the UK.

Its patented process avoids costly solvents and uses a simpler, scalable approach, with the company claiming 80% lower CO2 emissions than traditional production from its own calculations. Aerogels are supplied as standard or custom products for composites and coatings, the built environment, and energy and new technologies, and a new Northumberland facility is being commissioned for customer validation volumes.

• Silica aerogel: standard materials for insulation, fire resistance and water repellency.
• Custom grades: tailored aerogel solutions for specific applications.
• Low-carbon process: claimed 80% lower CO2 than traditional production.
• Application areas: composites and coatings, built environment, energy and new technology.
• Scale-up facility: Northumberland site for customer validation volumes.

Insulation and paint producers in Vietnam could add aerogel to thermal coatings. Cold-chain equipment makers could test thin insulation panels. Battery pack makers could evaluate aerogel barriers.

Aerogel offers thermal insulation, fire resistance and water repellency. The company states a process with 80% lower CO2 than traditional production, per internal calculations. Standard and custom grades fit different formulations. Patented, solvent-light manufacturing aims to lower aerogel cost.

Aerogel adoption for building insulation, batteries and industrial equipment is limited by cost, so lower-cost processes are sought. Vietnam hot, humid climate and growing cold-chain and EV battery sectors create demand for thin, effective insulation.

Registered at 5 Dukesway, Prudhoe, Northumberland (Company No. 12026868). Spun out of Newcastle University in 2020. September 2026 round of GBP 1 million: GBP 500,000 from Northstar Ventures and GBP 500,000 Innovate UK grant.