Researchers at southern Ben-Gurion University in Israel have developed some new formulations of hempcrete that are less energy intensive to make. Hempcrete is usually made with hemp hurds and lime, which requires a fair amount to heat to produce.
The researchers have found that they can replace some of the lime with natural minerals (such as clay and limestone) that have not been heated. The preparation of the mixture from hemp chips, lime and clay enabled the researchers to obtain a strong, inexpensive construction material with very low embodied energy and excellent thermal insulation properties. The different mixtures of hempcrete showed better functioning in relation to environmental conditions compared to conventional building materials, in terms of temperature and humidity regulation.
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