Sustainability is gaining prominence in the construction sector, where the search for more efficient and less polluting alternatives is driving the development of innovative materials. In this scenario, products made with recycled waste and natural fibers are beginning to position themselves as viable options against traditional materials.
One of the most notable cases arises in Colombia, where the company Green Solutions developed Plock blocks, a proposal aimed at reducing the environmental impact associated with the manufacture of conventional clay bricks. The initiative aims to combine structural strength, low weight, and a significant reduction in resource consumption.
Furthermore, the growing concern about greenhouse gas emissions generated by construction is accelerating the incorporation of technologies that favor the circular economy and the use of industrial waste.
Recycled materials that reduce emissions and resource consumption
Plock blocks were designed in three formats for different construction applications. There are versions intended for conventional walls, corners, and party walls, as well as specific models for finishes, doors, and windows.
Among its main advantages is its low weight. While a wall built with traditional bricks can reach 173 kilograms per square meter, this alternative reduces that value to just 21 kilograms, facilitating transport and installation.
Additionally, the system reduces the need to use mortars and fillers, allowing approximately a 50% reduction in the consumption of complementary materials. As a result, the emissions associated with construction and water use during the production process are also considerably reduced.
Since 2016, the technology has already been used in more than 200 homes, demonstrating that sustainable materials can adapt to both urban projects and developments in remote regions.
Agricultural waste and fungi: the new frontier of green construction
Meanwhile, various international research centers are advancing solutions based on organic waste. One of them is Sugarcrete, a material developed from sugarcane bagasse, considered one of the most abundant agricultural wastes on the planet.
The project was driven by specialists from the University of East London, along with the company Tate & Lyle Sugars and the architecture firm Grimshaw. Thanks to the use of agricultural waste, this material generates considerably lower emissions than those associated with traditional concrete.
On the other hand, the American startup Biomason developed BioBasedTiles, tiles and bricks made using biocement produced by bacteria. Inspired by natural processes observed in coral reefs, this system allows for the manufacture of durable pieces without resorting to highly polluting processes.
Argentina bets on biodegradable biomaterials
In Argentina, innovative proposals are also emerging. In Mar del Plata, architect Juliana Lareu developed biological bricks made with waste from the brewing industry and local sawmill waste.
The key component of the project is the mycelium of fungi such as Ganoderma Lucidum and Pleurotus Ostreatus. These organisms form a natural network that binds the biomass particles and generates solid pieces with excellent mechanical properties.
In addition to supporting loads exceeding 400 kilograms, these bricks have the capacity for thermal and acoustic insulation, are fire-resistant and completely biodegradable. At the end of their useful life, they can decompose and return to the soil as organic matter.
Environmental benefits of green construction
The green construction offers advantages that go beyond the reduction of carbon emissions. Firstly, it promotes the use of agricultural, forestry, and industrial waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
On the other hand, it favors less extraction of non-renewable raw materials, reducing pressure on natural ecosystems and decreasing energy consumption during manufacturing processes.
Furthermore, sustainable materials often improve the energy efficiency of buildings thanks to their insulating properties. This allows for a reduction in heating and cooling demand, generating lower energy consumption over decades.
Finally, the incorporation of biodegradable and recyclable biomaterials promotes circular economy models that help address the climate crisis and strengthen the development of more resilient and environmentally friendly cities.
