What are Plant Based Polymers and their Use in Construction
With the growth of the green movement across the globe, construction business is also looking for eco-friendly building materials.
Of these, the plant based polymers are recognized as potential substitutes for the conventional petroleum based products.
Developed and extracted from renewable resources like corn, soy or sugarcane these polymers provide green solution for various constructions uses.
This blog looks at why plant based polymers are gaining popularity in the market; the benefits of using them and how they are set to transform the construction sector.
What are plant based polymers and how are they employed in construction?
Biodegradable polymers are plastics produced from biomass consisting of cellulose, starch or other bio organic compounds.
Plant based polymers unlike synthetic polymers based on fossil fuel are biodegradable, renewable and in many cases carbon neutral for green construction.
Applications in Construction:
Insulation Materials: Polymers derived from plants are employed in the production of biodegradable and energy efficient insulations that decrease energy utilization in structures.
Composites for Structural Elements:
Plant polymers such as polylactic acid are blended with natural fibers, like hemp and flax for strong lightweight structural parts for beams, panels and other load bearing applications.
Coatings and Adhesives:
Natural polymeric materials used in paints, sealants and varnish, and adhesives have seen the replacement of the synthetic chemicals that are involved in evacuation of toxic chemicals that affect indoor air quality.
3D Printing Materials:
Some of the natural-based polymers used in 3D constructed-members include polylactic acid (PLA) for specific construction needs where accuracy is required and construction elements where sustainability is desirable.
Due to the ability of these materials to offer versatility, and the environmental conservation factors, they are increasingly used in construction practices.
The Advantages of Plant Based Polymers in Construction
This transition to plant based polymers has enjoyed numerous advantages, from ecological to performance advantages.
1. Environmental Benefits:
Reduction in Carbon Footprint: Biopolymers which are obtained from plants for instance, have a zero carbon footprint because during their growth they sequester CO2.
Biodegradability: Plant based polymers also differ from the conventional plastics because can degrade naturally thus minimizing waste in construction.
Renewable Resource: These polymers are made from agriculturally based feed-stock and as such are not roles as are petroleum based polymers implying that they are recyclable.
2. Improved Material Performance:
Lightweight and Durable: Organ sheets are financially competitive, strong, lightweight materials that can be used in a variety of applications that demand solid structural advantages without causing substantial weight burdens.
Thermal and Acoustic Insulation: Natural polymers and fibers are better insulators for they make significant contribution towards energy efficient structures.
Resistance to Chemicals and Moisture: These plant base polymers are designed with enhanced property of water and chemicals resistance for application in difficult conditions.
3. Health and Safety Advantages:
Non-Toxic: In contrast to the majority of synthetic polymers, non-synthetic plant polymers are associated with low levels of emissions of volatile organic chemicals, thus improving IAQ.
Safer to Produce: Manufacturing plant based polymers more frequently is less toxic than the petrochemical processes.
Due to these benefits, the construction industry can benefit greatly from plant based polymers, without harming the environment and meeting customers’ needs.
Challenges and the Future of Plant Based Polymers in Construction
Of course, plant based polymers hold the promise of wide application in construction still they have some drawbacks that should be dealt with.
1. Higher Production Costs:
Plant based polymers or biopolymers manufacturing is costly as compared to conventional materials because of less production capacity, and costs of feed stocks.
Still, as demand increases and the production line is enlarged, price competition is predicted to occur.
2. Limited Durability for Some Applications:
Newer development in polymers of plant origin are enhancing the properties of such polymers; however, some of these polymers may not display adequate strength for high-stress applications or very high or very low temperature applications.
This is because; continuous research and development are critical to overcoming this limitation.
3. Agricultural Resource Constraints:
The synthesis of plant based polymers demands agricultural product which is a problem concerning land use and food competition.
Achieving a balance in material production and food security shall as well be important since this will be called for by demand as it goes up.
4. The Road Ahead:
Nevertheless, the advancement plant based polymers in construction is a promising one.
With the new techniques in the field of biotechnology like Genetic Engineering and Microbial fermentation it is becoming possible to produce polymers with better properties.
Moreover, requiring ways of environmentally friendly products are being promoted by consumers as well as the regulatory bodies hence promoting research and development.
In the light of increasing consciousness with regard to climate change and differentiating the stock of available resources, the construction industry is predicted to scale up utilisation of the plant based polymers in the future.
Such transition can be enhanced by providing incentives for sustainable activities related to building and development of biological materials.
Conclusion
Bio polymers are revolutionizing the construction trade by providing ecofriendly solutions to traditional construction materials along with the environment economic and performance barriers.
This is because they are highly flexible and sustainable for use in many civil works projects including construction of structures, application as insulators and coatings among others.
Though there is stiff competition in the form of cost and durability, the steady advancements and gradual addition of the plant based polymers in the construction industry is a step towards making it a conventional choice.
The increasing use of these products proves that the industry is really headed towards a more sustainable future.
If and as plant based polymers progress we can begin to revolutionise construction and improve not only the practicality but also the sustainability of buildings.
Also read: How to Reduce Carbon Footprints with Sustainable Materials