• Challenge Tackled

At 38 percent, the construction and building sector is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions. In addition, many finite raw materials are used, which are often transported long distances, and enormous amounts of waste are generated during both construction and demolition. In Germany, this accounts for the largest share of the annual waste volume at 53%.

• Target group, beneficiaries or clients

Construction sector, private building owners

• Solution

Thus, new solutions for the building sector are needed to reduce the ecological footprint. Clay as a building material already convinces with many arguments: Clay is available almost everywhere and therefore does not have to be transported, since the processing takes place without chemical additives, it can be used again and again or ultimately end up in the garden.

• Innovation

The novel combination of clay with biochar makes clay construction even more ecological, as additional CO2 is stored in the house in the long term, and convinces with properties such as anti-mold, low weight, high ability to regulate humidity and additional insulation. The use of biochar can also reduce the amount of sand in the clay mixture – also a finite raw material.

• Feasibility/Transferability

The Ithaka Institute in Switzerland has successfully carried out initial construction trials with clay and biochar. The mixture can be used with the usual machines and is therefore user-friendly. Both the application in wine cellars with special requirements for extra high humidity and the use in offices have proven successful. Further applications with, for example, lime plaster in outdoor areas are being investigated.