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Batimat Innovation Awards 2022
At the beginning of October, the Batimat was held in Paris, a four-day meeting for all construction professions, manufacturers and sellers of materials and equipment, architects, project developers, but also contractors and craftsmen. Batimat is (along with InterClima and IdéoBain) part of Mondial du Bâtiment (formerly Salon International de la Construction)', an international trade fair dedicated to construction, building and architecture. During the fair, the traditional Batimat Innovation Awards were presented in ten categories, with gold, silver and bronze medals being awarded in (almost) each category. Among the medal winners were several material innovations.
IPAC
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In the Major works/Structure/Envelope category, the award (gold) went to the French company BAT'IPAC from Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu with the material IPAC: a load-bearing and insulating honeycomb cellulose sheet material. IPAC is an 'environmentally responsible' product for construction, made from recycled honeycomb board. According to the manufacturer, it can be recycled up to 97 times without the need to add new materials. In addition, the production of this material requires little electricity and fossil fuels. Transport costs are also reduced thanks to a grid of the territory based on end users. IPAC can be integrated into the construction of all types of buildings: individual or collective housing; new construction, extension or renovation projects; walls, roofs, floors, partitions, facades and more. Everything about IPAC at BAT'IPAC>
IPAC at BAT’IPAC>
IPAC (photo: Frédéric Lechat/BAT’IPAC)
UniverCell Cristal
Also in the Major works/Structure/Envelope category, Soprema won the bronze medal with UniverCell Cristal, a new generation of cellulose wadding. UniverCell Cristal is a descendant of the cellulose insulation UniverCell family of the French company Soprema. The new UniverCell Cristal sprayable cellulosic material is made using a patented process converting glassine in cellulose wadding. Glassine is a type of glycerine-treated tissue paper that is used as a self-adhesive backing paper for labels. So far, 95 percent of glassine waste went to landfill or was incinerated, but Soprema says they are able to turn it into a new insulation material. The material has a density of 23 kg/ m3, an insulation value of 0.041W/mK and can be sprayed as an insulating fiber material.
More at Soprema>
Diathonite Floor insulation
Diathonite Thermostep 047 floor insulation material from DIASEN SRL (Sassoferrato, Italy) was awarded the gold medal in the Interior & Garden category. DIASEN says the material improves a floor's thermal performance while keeping it breathable. The material regulates moisture and is resistant to molds thanks to a relatively high lime content. It is easy to apply and can be applied by hand or sprayed on the floor with a plastering machine. According to DAISEN it’s four times lighter and five times more insulating compared to a traditional screed.
More at DIASEN>
CORKAL composite
CORKAL, developed by TECHNAL (part of the Norwegian aluminium producer Hydro Group) is a cork composite material in the form of insulation strips for aluminium windows. It is intended as an alternative to petroleum-based plastic materials. According to TECHNAL, the material can reduce the environmental impact of an aluminium window by 15 to 25 percent. In addition to the insulating properties of CORKAL, the material also improves the thermal and acoustic performance of window frames. The new extrusion process TECHNAL has developed allows it to be produced in long bars and in various shapes, making it suitable as a thermal buffer material for doors and windows. TECHNAL was awarded the gold medal in the 'Joinery and closures' category.
More at TECHNAL>
Repan
Isosta Group was awarded the silver medal (Preserving the environment category) for Repan, process or method for dismantling and reusing sandwich panels, consisting of a polystyrene foam core and aluminium enclosure. The components that are used in such panels can be easily recycled individually, but once they are processed into a sandwich, this becomes very difficult. Repan can do something about that. According to Isosta, in this way an aluminium sandwich panel with a polystyrene core gets a recyclability of almost 100 percent.
More at Batiweb>
Bamboo window
Minco vec's fenêtre HYBRID bamboo is a hybrid window (windows with wood and metal), in which the wood - usually pine and oak - has been replaced by bamboo. This has several advantages. Bamboo grows very quickly and can be harvested after five years. In addition, it has good insulating properties, is climate neutral, FSC certified and easy to recycle.
(Photo: DIASEN)
CORKAL (Photo: TECHNAL)
Repan (Photo: Virginie Kroun/Batiweb)
According to Minco vec, this makes it an innovative solution for resource management, soil restoration and biodiversity conservation. MINCO's bamboo window was awarded a silver medal in the Joinery and closures category.
More at Minco>
Bamboo window (Photo: Minco)
Theunisbrug wins Architecture Masterprize 2022
(Photo: ZJA)
The Theunis Bridge connecting Merksem and Deurne has been awarded the prestigious Architecture Masterprize 2022. Commissioned by De Vlaamse Waterweg, architectural firm ZJA, in collaboration with Arcadis, Sweco and OKRA Landscape Architects, designed the new Theunis Bridge over the Albert Canal. A steel bridge in three parts, which, with a greater vertical clearance, guides pedestrians, cyclists, cars and trams pleasantly and safely to the other side as if over a boulevard. With its dark pillars, radiant white openwork towers and careful detailing, the new bridge is a striking appearance in the urban landscape of Antwerp. The Theunisbrug wins the award in the category 'Infrastructure. The Architecture Masterprize, an international American architecture prize, is regarded as a leading recognition within architecture.
More at ZJA>
MAKE IT MATTER
MAKE IT MATTER is compiled in collaboration with MaterialDistrict (MaterialDistrict.com). In this section new, and/or interesting developments and innovative materials are highlighted.
Paper Clay
Paper waste has been a serious problem in many industries and offices for years. Paper may account for 70% of a company’s total waste. Design With Paper Clay An Mor has been exploring the physical and aesthetic properties of waste paper to develop materials that enhance this local resource. This research opens up new areas of innovative applications for waste paper, such as interior and design materials.
More at MaterialDistrict>
OTTAN
OTTAN collects food waste as fruit peels, expired grains, vegetable residues and garden waste as tree leaves or grass. This waste is processed by cleaning, drying and grinding to create natural raw materials which are mixed with green resins. The resulting material then is injected into moulds to create minimal yet multi-purpose products. Each of the materials was produced by upcycling an average of 65-85 % organic waste.
More at MaterialDistrict>
Plastic Soup Future (PSF)
PSF BV makes sustainable products from collected waste plastic that is sorted, cleaned and ground. This plastic is pressed into sheet material, which is used to make tables and tile floors. The crushed plastic can also be used in cast floors via a special process. According to the manufacturer, the material is extremely durable and vandal-proof. PSF materials last at least 50 years and can then be recycled at least seven more times (longer cannot be tested) without the addition of other materials.
More at MaterialDistrict>
ECOrange
ECOrange is an net acoustic material and an innovative way to combine layers. The core is made of recycled plastic bottles, while the exterior part offers a wide range of textile finishing. Scope it to absorb the sound in the speech frequencies, mission based on circular economy. The sandwich can be shaped in different thicknesses and sections, from flat to U to W to Millerighe (Italian word to revocate ribs or waves).
More at MaterialDistrict>
CEYDIUM
CEYDIUM by Mediterraneo Surfaces analyzed and studied new trends in architecture and interior design and developed innovative solutions with ceramic materials. The result is a versatile, refined and durable ceramic surface. According to the manufacturer, CEYDIUM offers a feeling of warmth, luxury, being one with nature.
More at MaterialDistrict>
RiBoard
RiBoard is an concrete like material manufactured from recycled mineral fibres with cementitious binders. It offers good acoustic absorption and is also completely fire resistant. Its components are environmentally friendly with the main ingredient being a 100 % recycled mineral fibre material. RiBoard can be combined with other materials like HPL or wood veneer and can be custom dyed.
More at MaterialDistrict>
Wireglass
Wireglass is a project of Caroline Priss and Marieke van den Heuvel, which resulted in various dynamic weaves integrated into glass. The metal textile weaves are made of stainless steel, copper and iron, and especially designed for this purpose. The metal, perforated sheets have been melted along with the glass. Because of the handmade process, no design is the same. The glass is available in various thicknesses and colours, and with dimensions of max. 60 by 60 cm.
