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Projects on building materials

Agrodôme

Agrodôme demonstration project in Wageningen for plant based materials in building applications

In the Agrodôme demonstration building project in Wageningen, the Netherlands, the target is to construct a number of houses composed of as much as possible renewable raw materials. The selection of building materials primarily is based upon the commercially available renewable products and partly on experimental products and novel ecological products of commercial partners. The target is to show the building industries, architects, and public that constructing with alternative materials can yield an attractive and comfortable house at a lower expense of fossil resources.

Innovations in the building industries are nowadays largely inspired by environmental legislation measures that should result in more sustainable building. To enhance the ecological performance of a building much attention has been paid to research for energy reduction in the production process of building materials, and possibilities for recycling of waste materials from building and demolition.

One of the major points of concern for international environmental policy is the limited availability of many resources that are now consumed in vast amounts for human needs. The policy on restriction of the use of petrochemical resources and extraction of minerals, ores, lime, and sand, so far has been limited. A major result has been the promotion of the use of more certified sustainable wood (FSC) and wood products. However, besides wood there are a large number of renewable resources such as hemp, flax, cork, reeds, shells, paper and straw, with potential use in building and construction that are receiving renewed interest in ecological architecture.

Sources for renewable building materials can be found in the constructive tissues of all plants - the lignocellulosic fibres - combined with the protecting mechanisms nature is providing against moisture and invasion of micro-organisms. Waxes and oils, tannin and lignin, proteins, silica and many other plant constituents have specific interesting properties, that can be exploited in building products, coatings, adhesives, additives and protecting agents. Methods need to be developed to produce and commercialise these components on industrial scales as novel 'green chemical' resources for building application.

Important aspects of the project are the monitoring of the performance of the building products in all stages of the project from design and construction phase to the utilisation phase, including maintenance, indoor climate aspects and emissions. Very relevant aspects related to the selection of materials in building and construction is the effect on indoor climate and the relation with living comfort and wellbeing of the residents. Despite the fact the people are passing much of their time in their home, this is largely underexposed in scientific literature.

Coir-based building and packaging materials

Binderless boards based on coconut husk for production of building and packaging materials

A simple processing technology has been developed for the production of binderless board based on 100% coconut husk. Board materials with excellent properties ??? A pilot scale fibre processing unit was constructed in the Philippines that was used to demonstrate the production of board material on pilot scale. Now the options for full scale operation are being evaluated.

Background

Coconut husk is abundantly available in all tropical countries as cheap residue from the coconut industry. Coconut husks consist of circa 30 wt.% fibres and 70 wt.% lignin-rich pith. Using the intrinsic resin properties of the of lignin in the pith and the strength of the coir fibre, high quality boards can be made by the compression moulding process from the milled coconut husk, without addition of chemicals (see figure below). The now largely under-utilised biomass resource can be transferred into a valuable feedstock for the production of wood substitute products.

Industries/markets

The market for high quality and cheap fibre boards and composite materials is substantial. Increasing local demand for building materials and wood products can be forecasted in developing countries as well as for competing products to supply export markets.

The production of commercial attractive materials, that in addition are fully renewable and ecological sound, will have positive effects on income for the coconut farmer, create labour in husk supply, boards production and trade. The availability of cheap building boards will stimulate the activity in the building sector for local housing.

A variety of high quality products can be manufactured from flat binderless building panels or beams with high strength and stiffness to 3D formed shapes for production of trays and pallets for use as packaging materials or plant pots. The coconut husk material can be used in furniture manufacturing and many other industries applying wood products.

Information

The process sequence from coconut husk to board material includes separation of the husk from the coconut, refining of the husk to small particles and hot pressing to board without the addition of any chemical binder. The sensitivity of processing parameters and the economical characteristics of the production process have been addressed.

The boards show mechanical properties comparable or superior to those of commercial medium density fibreboard (MDF) and surpassing those of particle board. The thickness swelling of the boards and the water absorption is lower than for MDF. Excellent fire resistance and screw holding capacity show promise for use as building product. The density of these coconut husk boards, however, is higher than for most commercial fibre boards.