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The world's first self-supporting biocomposite façade panel has won this year's JEC Innovation Award (Europe), paving the way for natural materials such as biocomposites to replace conventional building products.
Designed by Arup and GXN Innovation, the BioBuild Façade System was developed as part of the BioBuild project, which aims to shape better built environments by developing and using innovative materials based on natural, rapidly renewable resources.
One of these materials is biocomposites, which are composed of natural fibres such as flax, hemp and jute, and natural resins made from the by-product of agricultural processing of corn, sugar cane and other crops.
With the appropriate processing, these biocomposites can be converted into lightweight, durable and high performing products - including the structural BioBuild façade panel made of two biocomposite outer shells, with a central layer of insulation material.
L: Woven Flax Fabric, R:Flax...