InMidtown Hive Barsmark PT-200

[waverider]

Wondering if anyone has one of these hives?

http://www.51pct.com/2012/08/30/inmidtown-bee-hive-prototype-successful/

Made from Barsmark PT-200 a material developed in Denmark (i think) from recycled polyurethane, aluminium and glass fibre. This material should provide better thermal properties than traditional cedar wood.
http://www.greenspec.co.uk/products/...rsmark-pt-200/

Video of the hive:
http://vimeo.com/51432212

Habi-Sabi site: http://www.habi-sabi.com


I contacted inMidtown last year, the hives retail at £300. Any opinions on design, price .......?

 

[madasafish]

Not seen a winter yet.

"The material is made of 100% recycled Kingspan insulation and retains some insulation properties. I"

No comment on what frames it uses..

About £200 too expensive.

 

[waverider]

i think the internal dimensions are based on a National hive. I too thought £300 was steep.

 

[bee crazy]

Gone with the wind i would say also v expensive

 

[Chris B]

If they sold it in Ikea for £50 they would do well.

 

[Finman]

.
The material clarification

http://www.greenspec.co.uk/products/glass-plastic-sheets-and-boards/barsmark-pt-200/

 

[waverider]

.
The material clarification

http://www.greenspec.co.uk/products/glass-plastic-sheets-and-boards/barsmark-pt-200/

Link is already in thread first post.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I think it looks nice, but £300 for brood box, one super, a floor and a roof is rather a lot of money.

The long frame lugs make me think it's National size. Would that be right?

 

[simoncav]

It looks a nice design, but don't understand the point of using recycled Kingspan unless they make the sides thick enough to offer "proper" insulation values way above and beyond current poly hives.

Otherwise I would go for poly every time - Well proven and priced at about half this design.

If it's not better in some respect or cheaper than other hives, there is no point in doing it in the first place....

 

[Russel]

It looks a nice design, but don't understand the point of using recycled Kingspan unless they make the sides thick enough to offer "proper" insulation values way above and beyond current poly hives.

Otherwise I would go for poly every time - Well proven and priced at about half this design.

If it's not better in some respect or cheaper than other hives, there is no point in doing it in the first place....

Whilst I agree, Beehause seem to do okay?

 

[Finman]

.
I look its insulation value and it is same as cork. The wall is quite thin compared to polyhives 40 mm.

What is the advantage compared then to pine board and DIY box?

 

[psafloyd]

i think the internal dimensions are based on a National hive. I too thought £300 was steep.

But surely, if volume sales were achieved, prices would fall. It wouldn't have to fall very far for it to become comparable to buying a built cedar hive.

 

[Romain_SAcchi]

Barsmark PT-200

Hello there,

I just wanted to pop in this conversation. I'm no specialist in beekeeping, however, I'm R&D Manager at Barsmark A/S (and its sister structure SUNBY ApS) in DK, the company providing PT-200 to 51% Studios, for the beehives (and bat boxes) making.

I'm not here to argue on the retail price or whatsoever, but just to give some clarifications on the material, which, even though I'm not totally objective here, remains interesting.

PT-200 is a rigid insulating foam, made form industrial PUR off-cuts that we collect among cars and refrigerators makers and reprocess into insulation panels. Although it does not have a thermal conductivity as good as virgin PUR foam, its carbon footprint is about three times as less (I conducted the LCA myself), that is about 4kg of CO2 eq. per m2 in 10 mm, from Procurement to its Disposal.

Hence, using 10kg of this foam diverts about 9 kg of foam off-cuts from incineration and comes with a lot of (quantifiable) environmental benefits, notably due the fact that the foam is not directly relying on the polymerization of crude oil, unlike many of the marketed insulating foams.

Best regards,

Romain.

 

[waverider]

Poly hive with brood, roof and 2 supers; £100 from a UK retailer.

InMidtown hive; £300.


I understand you don't want to get into a debate about retail price however whilst beekeeping is not the cheapest of hobbies with many variables that alter the annual expense, cost is an issue.

I cant talk for other beekeepers but i am incredibly conscious of my actions on the environment, hence why i was in discussion with the group in London regarding this hive. I would rather reduce my carbon footprint by other means than pay 3 times the amount for a national poly hive.

If Barsmark could convince one of the big players to use the material such as Thorne in Lincolnshire or your fellow friends in Sønderborg, Swienty and get the prices within £100-£160 then interest may grow.

 

[madasafish]

I like the colour of the one that has been outside.
Unfortunately , I would have to paint it (to avoid thieves)