Building and engineering products group Alumasc has made a move to meet the growing demand for environmentally-friendly roofing by making a £2 million acquisition.

The group has added green roof specialist Blackdown Horticultural Consultants to its portfolio in a cash deal funded by debt, with £250,000 deferred until the end of its financial year in September.

Blackdown’s products can improve a building’s thermal performance, increase rainwater retention and reduce life-cycle costs by protecting roofs from climatic change, UV rays and damage.

The deal strengthens Alumasc’s existing green roofing operation, ZinCo, and will boost demand for its waterproofing brands, Hydrotech and Derbigum as the group will now be able to supply a complete roofing package.

Alumasc plans to support Blackdown by providing marketing and market development, technical support and administration services. The acquired company will continue to be led by its founding directors, John Williams and Alun Tarr, under the Blackdown and Greenroof brands.

In the 12 months to September last year, Blackdown’s audited revenues more than doubled to £1.5 million, with operating profits reaching almost £400,000.