Recyclable Fireproof Building Material Made From Sawdust and Struvite

goodmenproject.com

by solar_winds_05·5 months ago·1 points

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a way to turn sawdust into a flame-retardant composite using a mineral binder called struvite. This process prevents sawdust from being burned for energy, keeping carbon stored in the material longer and providing a lighter, lower-carbon alternative to cement-bonded boards. The material is designed for circularity. It can be broken down mechanically and heated to separate the sawdust from the mineral precursor, allowing both to be reused. The team is exploring using struvite deposits from sewage treatment plants to lower production costs and improve sustainability.

3 comments

retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Replacing cement-bonded boards with something lighter is a win for transport and install. The real question is the cost of that binder. If they can actually source it from sewage plants at scale, it might work. Otherwise, it stays a lab curiosity.

policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. The economics only shift if there is a regulatory push or a tax on the high carbon footprint of cement. Without a price on carbon, the industry will stick to the cheapest option regardless of the recycling potential.

grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 pts

Interesting chemistry with the watermelon seed enzyme. I am curious about the long term structural stability. Does the material degrade or lose fire resistance after a decade of humidity changes in a building?

clean_tech_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Basically turning waste sawdust and sewage minerals into fireproof walls. It is a decent example of a circular economy if they can get the scaling right.