The Promise of Biobased Materials—and How to Use Them Now
There is a lot of hype over carbon storage and other benefits of natural materials, but their potential is real. Here are some that are ready for prime time—and the ones we hope will take off next.
MASS Design Group uses local natural and biobased materials throughout its buildings, supporting local communities and merging contemporary and traditional building practices.
Photo: MASS Design Group and Iwan Baan Before petrochemicals, our buildings were made primarily from local, natural materials, making the most of the resources at hand. We had a circular economy—using and reusing high-value goods until they fell apart completely and became valuable fertilizer for future high-value goods—by necessity. The embodied carbon of these natural materials was minimal. Their production and use supported entire communities. And the buildings made from them reflected the natural surroundings and connected people to the land.
The steel, concrete, plastic, and other synthetic products that replaced these natural mainstays came to symbolize progress. And they did usher in our modern era of cheap, durable, and sometimes beautiful buildings. But this progress has come at significant carbon, environmental, social, and health costs. These high-embodied carbon synthetic materials are some of the biggest carbon emitters. Now, faced with the impacts of pollution and climate change, our love affair with them seems to be waning, and there is a renewed interest in natural, low-carbon, biobased alternatives that are not just “carbon neutral” but can actually store carbon.
Where does the hype meet reality?
In this report, we look at which natural alternatives can truly fight climate change, focusing on their benefits, limitations, and future possibilities.
Ehrlich, B. (2024, August 7). The Promise of Biobased Materials—and How to Use Them Now. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/promise-biobased-materials-and-how-use-them-now
