Biodegradable Materials - Top eco friendly materials ✔

 

What is Biodegradable Materials?

                             Biodegradable mateials are such waste materials which are and can be degraded by natural factors like microbes (e.g. bacteria, fungi and few more), abiotic elements like temperature, UV, oxygen, etc. Some examples of such wastes are food materials, kitchen wastes, and other natural wastes. Microorganisms and other abiotic factors together break down complex substances into simpler organic matters which eventually suspend and fade into the soil. The whole process is natural which can be rapid or slow. Therefore, the environmental issues and risks caused by biodegradable materials are low.

Top Biodegradable Materials:

1. Mycelium

                            One of the most popular and upcoming  materials is mycelium bricks. Mycelium is a collection of thin root-like fibers that grow underground. When dried, they can be used as a very strong, fire, and water-resistant material that can be used for construction. It can be molded and grown into various specific forms.

Example:   The Growing Pavilion

                             Designed by set designer and artist Pascal Leboucq in collaboration with Erik Klarenbeek's studio Krown Design, the temporary pavilion is made entirely from bio-based materials. The outer panels were grown from mushrooms, with the mycelium in the roots providing strength. The use of the mycelium allows the creation of extremely organic and light.

2. Bioplastics 

                              Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, recycled food waste, etc. Bioplastics are usually derived from sugar derivatives, including starch, cellulose, and lactic acid.

Example: ArboSkin Bioplastics Facade

3. Medium density fibreboard (MDF) – using potato starch

                                        MDF is primarily used in furniture making. It is an engineered wood made from the residue of hardwood or softwood and then combined with wax and resin forming it into panels. The primary adhesive used in MDF is based on the chemical formaldehyde, which cannot be recycled, and the huge amounts of used MDF are either incinerated or end up in the landfill. Recently, research is being conducted to substitute the formaldehyde with a potato starch resin, which will be biodegradable. 

4. Bamboo 

5. Cork

                               Cork is a very underrated material in the construction field.Cork is an impermeable buoyant material. Cork is very waterproof, resists abrasion, and has fire- retardant and acoustical insulation properties. Hence, it finds itself useful in different areas of construction.