How Biotechnology is Transforming the Construction Industry
Setting the foundation right
Beliz Berge
April 9, 2023
Unsplash
Companies are beginning to integrate biotechnology into construction to build a greener image for the industry.
For decades, the construction industry has harmed our environment. Construction sites are responsible for 14% of carbon emissions and almost double the levels of oxides. High levels of air pollution pose serious risks to human health, such as respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer.
The construction industry is likewise responsible for ecological damage. Habitat loss spurred by construction practices forces wildlife into urban areas, disrupts the ecosystem balance, and has even led to the extinction of several species. Material and chemical waste contaminate and degrade soil, producing negative health effects among humans and ecosystems. The industry has also been critiqued for its heavy reliance on non-renewable resources like natural gas, which raises sustainability concerns surrounding the future of construction.
Dr. Meng Zhang, a professor of microbial biotechnology at Northumbria University, believes biotechnology is the future of sustainable construction.
“Biotechnology starts to play a significant [role] in the development of novel and sustainable construction materials worldwide,” Dr. Zhang told The Observer.
Biotechnology is the basis of cutting-edge construction innovations like bio-cementation, low-carbon materials like bio-plastics and bio-concrete, bio-based insulation, living walls, and enhanced green roofs. These alternatives allow for greater waste recycling, more efficient water usage, and improved indoor air quality. Alongside the continued improvement of carbon capture capabilities in construction materials, sustainable construction may not be as remote as previously thought.
Every house needs its foundational layer—the concrete base. With the use of biotechnology, microbially-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) became available. MICP is a process where calcite crystals bind to grainy particulate material, known as aggregates, to form cementitious materials. MICP can also fill gaps in cracked concrete as a self-healing alternative to traditional cement.
For structural aspects of a house, like soundproofing, construction companies have started using bacterial cellulose (BC). BC is a lightweight, strong, and flexible material used in construction as a substitute for conventional materials like paper, textiles, or plastic. Another sustainable substitute is bioplastics, derived from renewable resources such as plant and algae and used for fossil fuel-based plastics in construction.
As insulation, construction companies are using Mycelium—a root-like structure of fungi. It can be used to create a biodegradable and fire-resistant form of insulation.
“By incorporating biotechnology into sustainable building practices, the construction industry can significantly reduce carbon emissions and minimize the environmental impact of buildings—leading to a more sustainable, resource-efficient, and eco-friendly construction industry,” said Zhang.
Although sustainability is a global pursuit, countries vary in their progress in developing and implementing biotech solutions.
“Regarding exploration of biotech in construction, British companies are a bit behind, in my opinion,” noted Zhang.
But various start-ups are exploring the potential of biotech materials, especially in MICP capabilities.
Climate-tech startup Biozeroc is delving into the production of bio-cementitious materials through MICP. Biohm, another bio-based materials company, is developing mycelium-based materials to replace traditional insulation materials and plastics.
Despite these initial successes, these start-ups face challenges regarding supply chain management and scaling up operations. Zhang believes that such issues require greater cross-organizational cooperation.
“To truly achieve the application of these innovations, it requires [a] joint effort from [the] government, funding bodies, academics and companies,” says Zhang.
As companies begin to utilize biotechnology in the construction industry, if combined with government regulation and community engagement, it will pave the way for a more sustainable future.