The construction industry is entering a new era, guided by a growing awareness of the need to build in a more responsible and environmentally friendly manner. Renewable building materials are now becoming an essential solution to meet environmental challenges and the requirements of professionals in the sector.
With the rise of climate concerns and the rise of environmental regulations, renewable materials offer an answer to several major challenges. Unlike conventional materials, they have a lower environmental impact, thanks to their ability to store carbon or to their low-emission production. Whether they are wood or bio-based materials, these resources can be replenished quickly, ensuring sustainable use.
New innovations make it possible to achieve levels of technical performance comparable to, or even superior to, traditional materials.
In this article, we explore this new trend in renewable materials and present some of the most promising materials, including wood, ultra-high performance fiber concrete (BFUP) and carbon fiber.
We also invite you to discover our podcast “The Builders” to dive deeper into the subject with experts in the sector.
Wood: a timeless classic
Wood is a renewable material of choice in the field of construction, thanks to its ecological, aesthetic and functional characteristics. Derived from sustainably managed forests, it has a relatively short life cycle compared to other materials, thus offering a renewable and abundant resource.
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Forests absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis, which makes wood a natural carbon sink. Using wood in construction therefore makes it possible to store carbon over the long term, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, sustainable forest management ensures the continuous regeneration of this ecosystem, while maintaining biodiversity. Compared to materials such as concrete or steel, wood has a significantly lower carbon footprint. Its processing and transport require less energy, and it can be recycled at the end of its life, thus reducing waste.
Wood is also appreciated for its functional qualities. Light, but sturdy, it has a excellent mechanical resistance in relation to its weight. Its flexibility makes it possible to create a wide variety of structures, from traditional frames to modern buildings in laminated wood or CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber). Ses natural insulating properties reduce the energy needs for heating and cooling buildings.
Additionally, studies show that environments containing wood promote well-being, reduce stress, and improve productivity.
Pascal Chazal, president of the Hors Site Group, was our guest during one of our episodes on our Les Bâseurs podcast. Committed to the emergence of wood construction, it shows us how to build more responsibly while halving construction time and therefore benefit from better efficiency.
BFUP: the new generation of concrete
The High-Performance Fiber Concrete (BFUP), also called Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) in English, is a revolutionary material in the field of construction. Its innovative composition and exceptional mechanical properties make it a preferred choice for demanding structural applications.
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The latter is characterized by a cement matrix reinforced with fibers, often metallic or synthetic, which considerably improve its strength. Its formulation includes cement, fine aggregates, silica fume, superplasticizers, and fibers.
This combination gives it a compressive strength greater than 150 MPa and a flexural tensile strength of up to 50 MPa.. Dominique Corvez, president of XtreeE Tell us about it in detail, right here. In addition, its durability is increased thanks to a very low porosity, which makes it resistant to chemical attacks and freeze-thaw.
Les high mechanical properties of the BFUP allow the creation of thinner, lighter and more elegant structures, without compromising their robustness. Its ductility, due to the presence of fibers, reduces the risk of cracking and improves its ability to absorb shocks. In addition, its high resistance to abrasion and environmental aggressions makes it a material of choice for structures exposed to extreme conditions.
BFUP is used in a variety of applications, ranging from bridges to architectural facades. In bridge construction, it allows longer spans with thinner sections, reducing the total weight of the structures. In the field of architecture, it allows the creation of complex shapes and facades with delicate patterns. It is also used to reinforce or repair existing structures thanks to its ability to adhere to traditional materials.
Although the production of BFUP requires more cement than regular concrete, its durability and longevity reduce long-term maintenance and replacement costs. In addition, the use of thinner sections reduces the total amount of materials needed, thus minimizing the overall environmental impact.
Carbon fiber: lightness and resistance
Carbon fiber is a extremely light and durable composite material. It is made from carbon filaments woven together and impregnated with resin to form solid structures. These filaments are intertwined to form continuous fibers or fabrics, which are then incorporated into a polymer matrix to create composite materials.
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Carbon fiber has a exceptional mechanical strength, with tensile strengths often greater than 3,500 MPa. Despite this robustness, it remains very light, with a density of around 1.8 g/cm³, less than half that of steel. In addition, it is resistant to corrosion and fatigue, making it ideal for demanding environments. Stéphane Le Diraison, Skipper engineer Time For Oceans, tells us how fibers helped him build his Imoca.
In the construction sector, carbon fiber is often used to reinforce concrete and steel structures, thanks to its ability to increase strength without adding significant weight. The systems of carbon fiber reinforcement (CFRP) are commonly used to repair aging bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure. In addition, its flexibility makes it possible to create innovative architectural forms.
Although carbon fiber production is energy intensive, using the material in lightweight and sustainable applications reduces overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Its long lifespan and recyclable properties also make it a more sustainable option in the long term.
These renewable and efficient materials are proof that modern construction can combine innovation, sustainability and aesthetics. As green regulations get stronger and climate concerns increase, they represent the future of more responsible architecture.
To learn more about these advancements and hear from industry experts, we invite you to explore our podcast.