Bio-composites from Food-waste
Exploring the impact of waste sourced fillers from the food industry on the functional and mechanical characteristics of bio-composites for a possible application as a façade product
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Abstract
This thesis explores the potential of integrating waste-based fillers from the food waste industry into bio-composites for facade applications.
The limited use of waste materials in building products, combined with a rising demand in sustainable materials, leaves the opportunity for new fully bio-based building material from underutilised by-products.
The approach involves integrating organic waste as granular filler into polymeric composites.
The methodology consists of a literature review and three experimental phases: identifying and evaluating various food waste sources for the use as fillers, optimizing grain size and composition of the recipe, and assessing the best-performing filler combinations in facade panel designs regarding sustainability and structural merits.
Spent coffee and walnut shells were identified as promising fillers, while the shells of cacao beans, de-oiled coffee grounds and cherry pits did not perform well as fillers. The walnut shell composites, especially those with 55% filler of a blend of different grain sizes, resulted in the most promising balance between of mechanical properties and filler content.
The results indicate that walnut shell-based composites exhibit promising structural characteristics and a lower carbon impact compared to conventional facade materials. However, further research is required to explore their potential in other applications. This project illustrates the viability of using bio-composites with waste-based fillers in building products, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.