RuralWorks Partners Invests in Glavel to Accelerate Sustainable Building Solutions and the Circular Economy

MINNEAPOLIS & MIDDLEBURY, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RuralWorks Partners, LLC (RuralWorks), an impact-driven investment firm dedicated to promoting rural business growth is pleased to announce its investment in Glavel, a Vermont-based manufacturer of foam glass gravel. This investment will support Glavel’s mission to deliver low embodied carbon building materials, contributing to the advancement of construction and the circular economy.

Glavel’s foam glass gravel is made from 100% recycled glass, offering a lightweight, durable, and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional building materials such as crushed stone and rigid foam insulation. Foam glass gravel is also well-suited for roadways and infrastructure projects, providing superior drainage, insulation, and load-bearing capacity while helping to reduce upfront carbon emissions and improve resource efficiency.

“We are thrilled to support Glavel’s innovative approach to green building,” said Louisa Schibli, Director of Impact and Engagement at RuralWorks. “Foam glass gravel exemplifies the transformative impact we aim to foster through our investments—helping industries move toward greener alternatives, while also supporting economic resilience in rural communities.”

Glavel’s production process is rooted in circular economy principles, turning recycled glass into a high-performance building material that replaces petroleum-based alternatives. With a strong commitment to local job creation and environmental stewardship, Glavel addresses the need for low embodied carbon materials and boosts economic opportunities in its rural community.

“We are excited to partner with RuralWorks as we scale our operations and expand our reach into new markets,” said Rob Conboy, CEO of Glavel. “Their support will help us accelerate the adoption of foam glass gravel, enabling more builders to access sustainable, cost-effective solutions.”

This investment reflects RuralWorks' ongoing commitment to identifying and supporting companies that drive positive environmental and social impact, with a focus on rural communities and sustainable development.

About RuralWorks: RuralWorks Partners, a joint venture between Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) and Conduit Capital U.S., Inc, is an impact investment firm that delivers growth capital to rural businesses that are doing their part to protect our planet and generate community wealth and economic resilience. By investing in ready-to-scale rural businesses that create quality jobs and protect the environment, either by demonstrating a commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices or by providing solutions that address climate change or other environmental challenges, RuralWorks delivers meaningful impact to both underserved rural communities and the environment. Learn more about RuralWorks at www.ruralworkspartners.com.

About Glavel

Glavel is a foam glass gravel manufacturer located in Burlington, Vermont. Foam glass gravel is a lightweight, insulating aggregate that replaces foam board insulation, geofoam, and other lightweight fills in construction and industrial applications. Foam glass gravel enables builders, architects, and engineers to meet carbon reduction goals on projects by providing an environmentally-safe alternative to the carbon intensive materials traditionally used for subslab insulation and lightweight fill. Glavel’s manufacturing facility in Essex, Vermont has the first electrified foam glass gravel kiln powered by renewable energy in North America. Each year, a single production line transforms 7,500 tons of recycled glass into foam glass gravel. www.glavel.com.