Emissiv, a White City start-up, has begun first trials of a reflective paint that could help cut overheating on roofs across Hammersmith & Fulham and beyond.
The first application was made at Townmead Business Centre in Fulham, where the coating is designed to bounce back more than 90 per cent of sunlight. By keeping roof surfaces up to 30 degrees cooler, the paint could reduce the need for air conditioning and lower energy bills by as much as 20 per cent.
The company grew out of Imperial College London’s White City Innovation District, with support from the university and H&F Council. Co-founder Nikhil Dawda said Imperial and the district played a key role in helping Emissiv scale, including grant funding and support for local pilot projects. Additional trials are planned at other H&F locations, including office space at The Earls Court Development Company and Imperial College’s Wood Lane campus.
Nikhil and fellow co-founder Sandra developed the invention after both studied at Imperial’s Grantham Institute for Climate Change. They identified cooling buildings as a major climate challenge and set out to create a practical coating solution. Nikhil also presented the idea at H&F’s Upstream London Economic Forum, which highlights the borough’s “triple helix” model of collaboration between universities, businesses and local government.
Since launching its inclusive economic growth strategy in 2017, H&F Council says it has attracted £1.1 billion in green and climate-tech investment while continuing to support local residents through programmes that link young people to STEM careers.
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