BUILDING MATERIALS NEW

INNOVATIONS
1. Self-healing concrete
Cement - its everywhere. But did you know its responsible for around 7
percent of annual global carbon emissions? The other problem with concrete
is cracking.

Researchers at Bath University are developing a self-healing concrete. It uses

a mix containing bacteria within microcapsules, which germinate when water
enters a crack in the concrete. This produces limestone which plugs the crack
before water and oxygen has a chance to corrode the steel reinforcement.
2. Harnessing kinetic energy
Pavegen provides a technology that enables flooring to harness the kinetic
energy of footsteps. It generates electricity from pedestrian footfall using an
electromagnetic induction process and flywheel energy storage.

Another company, Underground Power, is exploring the potential of kinetic

energy in roadways. Its developed a technology called Lybra, a tyre-like
rubber paving that converts the kinetic energy produced by moving vehicles
into electrical energy. The kinetic energy is collected, converted into
electricity and passed on to the electricity grid.
3. 3D printing
Advances in 3D printing technology have the potential to open up all sorts of
design and construction opportunities. 3D printed components do not have
the same design constraints as current construction methods and have the
potential to save significant cost.

Lower material usage and lower labour costs could create a less expensive
construction method.
4. Photovoltaic glazing
Companies such as Polysolar have introduced transparent photovoltaic glass
as a structural building material (think windows, faades and roofs). This
basically turns the whole building envelope into a solar panel saving
significantly on energy costs. Nice.
5. Strawboard
Traditionally panel boards are made from fibre cement or plasterboard. Now
theyre being made from straw.

German-founded company Novofibre manufactures a unique oriented

structural straw board made from wheat straw fibre and a formaldehyde-free
adhesive.

The panels are lightweight but strong, elastic and malleable. They have both
sound and thermal insulation benefits. And because the boards use wheat
straw that would normally be burned as agricultural waste, theyre cutting
down on CO2 emissions.
6. Thermal bridging insulation
Were always after more efficient insulation material to reduce energy
consumption.

Enter Thermablok Aerogel Insulation. Utilizing technology developed by

NASA Thermablok is a highly efficient, aerogel-based insulating material
that can increase the overall R-value of a wall by more than 40 percent.
7. Pest control with recyclable crushed glass
Although not such a big problem in New Zealand, termites are a real problem
for buildings (and their owners) in some parts of the world. Keeping a home
termite-free often involves application of nasty chemical pesticides.

Termiglass is a non-toxic physical termite barrier developed by Queensland-

based Termicide. Recyclable glass is crushed to a specific shape and density.
Termites cant chew through the glass, its too heavy for them to move, and
the arrangement of the shards means there isnt enough space for termites
to crawl through.
8. Modular construction
Not new, but modular construction is increasingly popular.

Modular designed buildings are constructed off-site. This limits weather

disruptions as well as enabling components to be delivered as and when
needed - construction becomes somewhat of a logistics exercise. Up to 70 per
cent of a building can be produced as components - were talking just in
time manufacturing and delivery.

Modular construction also has sustainability benefits, from fewer vehicle

movements to less waste.