The future of construction? Biodegradable materials

Growing concern about climate change and its consequences has led the construction industry to focus on increasingly more sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials.  In order to meet this objective, thanks to technology it is possible to reuse the waste produced by humans to capture CO₂ and thus reduce pollution.

In today’s blog we talk about which materials have low environmental impact:

Linoleum

A sustainable and biodegradable material made from plant-based raw materials such as linseed oil, ground stone, cork or resin. The final result? A strong, waterproof fabric that increases in strength over time thanks to the oxidation of linoleic acid. Linoleum is a great option for biodegradable flooring and can be incinerated to create a relatively clean source of energy.

Mycelium

Mycelium is the invisible part of fungi, i.e. the collection of hyphae (multi-cellular filaments) of which it is composed. When combined with farm waste in molds, cultivated mushrooms form organic bricks that can be used in construction. They can later be decomposed and returned to the carbon cycle.

Other uses include partition walls, structural panels, insulating membranes and acoustic panels. It is also an excellent adhesive for natural materials such as jute, hemp or wood, thus avoiding the use of volatile resins, which are harmful to the environment and health.

Desert sand

Sand is the most consumed natural resource in the world after water and air. It is also used to build our cities.  Sand, however, is not an inexhaustible resource,  which is why a group of young researchers at Imperial College London have developed Finite, a material similar to cement with the same strength but with a zero carbon footprint.  

Soy-based bioplastics

Unlike plastic, bioplastics decompose more quickly and produce biomass. One of the main ingredients used is a soy-based adhesive that helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and use of the carcinogenic pollutant formaldehyde while requiring significantly lower temperatures during production.  Up until now use of soy-based bioplastics has been limited to disposable food packaging and garbage bags, yet it has the potential for future use in the construction sector.

Ultimately, the use of innovative materials, together with other factors, could revolutionize the construction sector in the future.