Qube Buildings take centre stage at the biocomposites show 2023, Belfast
In August 2023, Qube Buildings partnered with Composites UK, a trade association based in the United Kingdom that represents and promotes the composites industry. Composites UK serves as a hub for companies and organisations involved in various aspects of the composites sector, including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and research institutions. The organisation’s primary goal is to support and grow the composites industry in the UK by providing a range of services and initiatives, and it is with great honour, Qube Buildings™ have been invited to speak at this year’s event, focusing on end-sector Biocomposite applications.
Engineer Mike ‘Jaffa’ Orange, Co-Founder of Qube Buildings brings his knowledge and expertise in composite design to the stage this year. He will be speaking about Qube Buildings™ own Bio-SIP™ systems and how sustainable composite design seeks to disrupt an environmentally damaging construction industry, as well as sharing our goals as a company working toward a carbon net-zero future. It is this focus on reducing atmospheric carbon which provides the backbone to our vision and values as a company at Qube Buildings™.
See Mike ‘Jaffa’ Orange at biocomposites show 2023
The Composites UK show will be held in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 11th – 12th October 2023, and the focus this year will primarily be about the need to decarbonise our economy and increase circularity, which has never been a more pressing issue. Biocomposites can play a significant role in delivering both decarbonisation and circularity through the replacement of synthetic fibres and resins. Qube Buildings™ have developed our Bio-SIP™ systems, harnessing the benefits of plant based resins, green epoxy and natural fibres alongside recycled PET plastic, to produce our superior and high performance composite panels. Upon testing our product, we discovered the many benefits of using biocomposites, as Mike seeks to explain in his presentation on 11th October.
Mike will cover our goals as a company, seeking to develop more thermally stable buildings
Mike will cover our goals as a company, seeking to develop more thermally stable buildings for the construction sector, looking at our long term goals for full size housing, as well as short to medium term goals in order to meet the growing demand for additional, habitable space. He will cover the key features of our modular building designs, materials, production and installation, as well as addressing some of the limitations of working with more sustainable materials.
Mike intends to explain the Bio-SIP™ performance results versus traditional SIP’s, and highlight some of the key benefits when looking at U-values and other comparative markers. One of the key features of Qube Buildings™ modular buildings is the nonnecessity for a structure upon which to support the panels. Our Bio-SIP™ systems are fully self supporting, and slot together to form a strong, well insulated modular building. Mike will also address the limitations of traditional SIP’s, pertaining to thermal bridging and heat/energy loss.
To conclude his presentation, Mike will be sharing our exciting future goals for the company and where we see the design ideas and manufacturing of the Bio-SIP™ making the most impact within the construction industry and more widely, for example providing temporary housing on a global scale and crisis zone shelter.
This year, the Composites UK show seeks to address the application of biocomposites, which are composite materials made from a combination of natural fibres and a biopolymer matrix, and have gained increasing attention and importance due to several driving forces and needs. The demand for biocomposite inclusion within the sector is growing due to a number of reasons.
Biocomposites show 2023 key factors motivating the use and development
- Sustainability: Biocomposites are often considered more environmentally friendly than traditional composite materials made from synthetic fibres (e.g., carbon or glass) and petrochemical-based polymers (e.g., epoxy or polyester). The use of natural fibres and biodegradable biopolymers in biocomposites reduces the reliance on non-renewable resources and lowers the carbon footprint.
- Renewable Resources: The natural fibres used in biocomposites, such as jute, hemp, flax, and bamboo, are renewable resources that can be grown and harvested relatively quickly. This contrasts with synthetic fibres, which are derived from petroleum-based sources
- Reduced Carbon Emissions: The production of biocomposites generally results in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional composites, which often involve energy-intensive processes and the use of fossil fuels.
- Lightweighting: Biocomposites can be lightweight yet strong, such as the Bio-SIP, by Qube Buildings, making them suitable for applications where weight reduction is important, such as in the automotive and aerospace industries. The lightweight nature of these materials can contribute to improved fuel efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
- Biodegradability: Biocomposites made from biodegradable biopolymers are suitable for applications where end-of-life disposal is a concern. These materials can degrade naturally and reduce the accumulation of non-recyclable waste.
- Regulatory and Environmental Standards: Increasingly strict environmental regulations and standards have driven the adoption of biocomposites as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials in various industries.
- Consumer Demand: Growing consumer awareness and preference for sustainable products have led many companies to explore biocomposite materials for their products. Businesses that align with sustainability trends can gain a competitive advantage.
- Technological Advancements: Advances in the development of biopolymers, natural fibre treatments, and manufacturing processes have improved the properties and performance of biocomposites, making them more viable for a wider range of applications.
- Cost Competitiveness: As the technology matures and production scales up, the cost of biocomposites has become more competitive with traditional materials, making them economically attractive in various industries.
- Diversification of Applications: Biocomposites are being used in an increasing number of applications, including automotive components, construction materials, packaging, consumer goods, and more. This diversification expands the market and drives innovation in biocomposite materials.
Overall, the need for biocomposites is primarily driven by the desire to reduce the environmental impact of materials and products, while also meeting regulatory requirements and market demands for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. The Composites UK show seeks to explore and address the driving forces behind our increasing demand for biocomposites, in such a way as to educate and inform, but also to shine the spotlight on those pioneering new ventures, disrupting and transforming a stagnant and archaic construction industry.
If you would like to find out more about the Composites UK show 2023, click https://compositesuk.co.uk/events/biocomposites-a-critical-ingredient-in-future-industry-sustainability/
Discover what the industry leaders are saying about the future of biocomposites and engage with businesses and organisations working toward a net-zero future, seeking to transform the construction sector for the generations to come.
To find out more about Bio-SIP™ systems, click here and for modular buildings made using our Bio-SIP™ systems, click www.qubebuildings.co.uk and discover a more sustainable alternative to garden studios and buildings.
