Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “The 10 Most Innovative and Eco-Sustainable Build”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
The 10 most innovative and eco-sustainable building materials, selected by the "Product Innovation Challenge" competition launched by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute and aimed at the greenest building products and production processes.
The competition was conceived by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute in collaboration with Make It Right, the non-profit association engaged in post-emergency reconstruction famous for the New Orleans Eco-District, and saw the participation of over 144 manufacturers of eco-sustainable building materials such as natural insulations, alternative insulation developed from fungi or microorganisms, coverings made from recycled stone, bituminous membranes recovered from previous demolitions, and many others. The jury, composed of chemists, industry professionals, Google executives, and members of the US Green Building Council, will have the task of selecting the three winners from the 10 finalists, awarding them a cash prize. The selection categories will be five: health, recycling, water resource savings, renewable energy, and social fairness.
The Ten Most Innovative Eco-Sustainable Building Materials
1 – FUNGUS-BASED INSULATION (Ecovative)
The eco-sustainable answer to plastic foams, obtained from agricultural by-products including the use of fungal mycelium (roots), which allows the insulation to develop and grow directly inside the wall structure. Thanks to this solution, the wooden walls of homes are filled with mycelium which forms an airtight structure; in just under a month this layer of natural insulation dries, transforming into a perfectly airtight, thermally resistant, 100% ecological wall, free of VOCs and fireproof. 2 – SHEEP WOOL INSULATION (Bellwether Materials) An eco-sustainable building material for insulation, made from sheep's wool using little energy for production, safe for the environment and people. Sheep wool insulation also has the ability to absorb pollutants present in indoor air, is fireproof and easily recyclable post-demolition. 3 – GREEN PRODUCTS FROM RECYCLED STONE (GR GreenBuilding Products) Components for coverings and cladding made from limestone waste, plastic bottles, and food packaging and bags. This eco-sustainable building material solution can be fully recycled at the end of its average life (about 50 years). 4 – BIO-BRICK MADE WITH BACTERIA (bioBrick) An ecological brick made through the joint action of bacteria, inserted into a mix of aggregates. The components can come from recycling paths and the production process allows for bricks with performance equal to, if not superior to, traditional ones, but at a lower cost in terms of time and money.
5 – STRAW PANELS (ecococon) These are load-bearing straw panels made by drying this material, obtaining an economical and ecological, super-insulating and modular building solution. The straw panel system is composed of 99.4% materials immediately recycled locally, such as straw and wood. This solution has already achieved notable success in the application of passive houses. 6 – MODULAR PREFABRICATED ECO-SUSTAINABLE COMPONENTS (HaploBuilt) These are true modular building blocks, prefabricated and made with fully recyclable materials, which can be assembled on-site, giving life to bio-architectures, whose construction process requires a limited amount of water or energy. 7 – CELLULOSE FIBER PANELS (Ecor) Furthermore, the construction system of these particular panels requires a limited amount of water and resources, using a closed process that allows for the recovery of 99.5% of the resources used. 8 – MINERAL COLORS FOR WALLS (Roma)
This is a particular type of natural paint, washable, free of toxic chemicals, hypoallergenic and permeable, capable of preventing bacteria and mold from forming, absorbing CO2 and avoiding the onset of respiratory illnesses for occupants. 9 – RECYCLED STRUCTURAL PANELS (Stormwall Industrie) A structural wall composed of eco-compatible building material that replaces traditional dry walls for walls, ceilings, floors, and partitions. Suitable for use even in particularly disadvantageous climatic conditions and capable of reducing CO2 dispersion three times compared to normal. 10 – WOOD, STRAW AND CEMENT REINFORCED PANELS (Dutch Design Initiative) They can be used for walls or roofs, as load-bearing elements, composed of a rigid wooden structure and assembled through the combination of wool, wood, and cement. Completely fireproof, waterproof, resistant to termites and pests, insulating, sound-absorbing, free of harmful emissions, and extremely versatile. The three winners will be announced on November 15.
Source: Read the original article | Published: September 17, 2013