European architects and homeowners are buzzing with excitement over the potential of hempcrete, a bio-based building material dating back over 1,500 years. Made from a mixture of hemp shiv, lime, and water, hempcrete offers a sustainable alternative to traditional bricks and concrete.
Initially, hempcrete faced challenges such as difficulty in mixing the right proportions and long drying times, limiting its mass use in northern Europe. However, recent research and development have led to the creation of hempcrete blocks, making it a consistent, lightweight, and reliable product that can be easily transported and used by builders.
While experts caution against directly comparing hempcrete to concrete due to structural differences, hempcrete has proven suitable for multi-storey buildings when used around frames of wood, steel, or concrete. Its insulation properties make it ideal for creating stable and healthy living environments, especially in the post-Covid world where people spend more time at home.
Europe is leading the way in hempcrete use, with countries like the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy incorporating hempcrete into retrofitting projects and new builds. Belgian company Isohemp, for example, produces over a million hempcrete blocks a year, contributing to significant CO2 emissions savings.
In the UK, hempcrete is gaining traction, with a focus on prefabrication and retrofitting pre-1940s housing stock. The versatility of hemp and hempcrete extends beyond construction, with applications in automotive and disaster-prone areas.
Overall, the future of hempcrete as a green building material looks promising, with researchers exploring innovative ways to utilize its potential further. With its eco-friendly credentials and growing interest, hempcrete may just be getting started in revolutionizing sustainable construction practices.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
