The business works towards reducing the number of disposable sanitary products going to landfill, with an overarching goal of minimising period poverty. TCS-Eco designs and tests every component of its product inhouse.

Having successfully run the business since its official launch in 2012, business owner Kerry Quinn, a former microbiologist, approached Business Gateway in 2021 for help to expand TCS-Eco’s product range beyond sanitary pads, and into the period pants market.

She accessed a suite of Business Gateway support, including one-to-one guidance from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on funding and marketing, including digital webinars accessed through the Business Gateway website.

Ms Quinn also accessed specialist procurement support, which enabled the business to win a place on Scotland Excel’s washroom contract to provide a high-quality alternative to single use sanitary products to public sector bodies throughout Scotland.

Kerry Quinn

Support from Business Gateway, which included signposting to grant funding from North Ayrshire Council, helped to free up the business’ cashflow. This critical funding went towards the purchase of a digital fabric printer, which allowed the business to test and develop different products and materials for their new product.

TCS-Eco also accessed Scottish Enterprise support through the Unlocking Ambition project, which helped to secure additional funding of £25,000.

With help from Business Gateway, TCS-Eco has also been able to reduce its plastic content, and now aims to be under 5% by 2025, compared to most mass-produced reusable products that are 100% synthetic.

TCS-Eco is now the only business on the UK market that sells 100ml absorbency period and incontinence pants.

Ms Quinn, creative and managing director, said: “Having dedicated support from Business Gateway has been so helpful.

“My adviser has been a sounding board throughout the development of our new product and has really been there to walk me through the entire process. I can’t thank them enough for all their support.”

Claire Seaton, Business Gateway adviser, said: “We were able to support Kerry with a range of our growth business services, which have helped TCS-Eco expand its product range.

“It’s been really rewarding to support a business with strong sustainability principles at its core, and to help launch a brand-new product.”