In the natural world where mortgages are nowhere to be found, there are plenty of tenants building and owing their own homes. Mollusks such as mussels, oysters, clams and snails form hard shells to protect them from predators and the elements. Up to 10 million tonnes of bivalves discarded each year. These structures are rich in calcium carbonate and are beginning to be used as new biomaterials for construction.
Despite renewed interest in recent years, this approach is far from a modern invention. for example, speckled concrete – term of African origin – was used in Muslim Spain centuries ago. This material uses lime from charred oyster shells mixed with water, ash, sand and crushed oyster shells. Did. However, the rise of the circular economy has brought these solutions back to the forefront. blue bioeconomywith respect to the water resources used.
In this article, we learn about some of the new applications of these biomaterials in construction and other fields.
Bioconcrete from invasive species
We have already discussed bioconcrete, which is ‘conditioned’ with bacteria and organic waste such as beets and carrots. Developed, but has two invasive species in its sights. It’s the signal crayfish that hijacked European rivers and the Japanese knotweed growing out of control. Destroy walls and pavements.crayfish Seashells give strength to bio-concrete, and Japanese knotweed plants give tiles and other components an eye-catching texture. However, don’t run to the store to buy one, as it’s not on sale yet.
“Marine” slab
Perhaps, among their many uses, the large quantities of oyster shells and other mollusks that end up in landfills will one day become part of your home. This is the approach of a Korean design studio that was launched. Slabs based on shells and natural binders No heat required – just pour the mixture into a mold and you’ll get terrazzo-style pieces. This is because the lack of heat treatment makes this biomaterial less resistant and is used in construction applications.
Porous walkway to prevent flooding
Due to climate change, extreme weather events such as floods are increasing. For cities, impermeable sidewalks and asphalt can turn these precipitations into real torrents, easily overflowing drainage systems. The European Union is promoting a new project under the name CIRCLE, together with his two universities in the UK and several partners in France. Create porous concrete that absorbs rainwaterAgain, the key to this sustainable building biomaterial lies in the use of mollusk shells.There is also the advantage of Filter water before it seeps into the subsoil.
Furniture made from restaurant waste
Imagine stools and tables made out of the restaurant waste you just dined at.Well, that’s what they did at a Swedish restaurant in Gothenburg. Oyster shell, rice starch, collagen from fish waste I made a stool that doubles as a side table. The terrazzo style finish is similar to the marine slabs previously mentioned. By the way, leftovers are also used as chopstick rests.
A fisherman’s helmet that resembles a scallop.
Although not technically a biomaterial for construction, a fisherman’s helmet launched in Japan embodies the new blue bioeconomy. In the fishing village of Sarufutsu, the accumulation of large amounts of scallop shells due to fishing was an ecological problem. Plastic manufacturers have combined this material with recycled plastic to create new helmets or “shellmets.” It also leverages the principles of biomimetics by adopting the shape and grooves of a scallop shell. 30% more strength.
In addition to all these examples, it is impossible not to mention one of the pioneering initiatives In the field of biomaterials for construction from mollusks. We are talking about the Biovalvo Project, a Galician building featuring the shell of a mussel, one of the most common mollusks on the coast.
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