L2M QC 2024 – «BeNat»

There are three main problems in construction sector which are addressed through our startup. The first one is the high negative environmental impacts and energy required for conventional concrete or earthen constructions. The second problem is the high pre- and post-construction costs which results more building costs and maintenance fees. Lastly, there is the necessity for rapid construction to meet the growing market demand.
Indeed, the construction industry represents a real challenge for the environment. Concrete is the second most used material in the world after water. Cement, a hydraulic binder used in the preparation of concrete contributes significantly to worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The production of cement releases approximately 0.8 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere per ton cement. Moreover, cement production presents a high energy demand and an extensive consumption of natural resources. There is a pressing necessity for sustainable building materials before it becomes irreversibly late.
Our startup BeNat is dedicated to use natural renewable resources to facilitate the construction sector in different forms and reduce its environmental impact. The present innovation proposes a new sustainable construction material called self-consolidating earth concrete (SCEC). A technology that takes the advantages of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and earthen constructions. SCEC comprises a natural soil, stabilizer (reactive materials) and chemical high-range water reducer (HRWR) admixture. Different applications targeted by BeNat are: cast-in-place and prefabricated SCEC elements, prepacked green materials, and earth-based 3D printing. Therefore, by keeping the benefits offered by earthen materials, more advanced developments are introduced through our technology.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ammar Yahia

Student:

Partner:

V1 Studio

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Clean Technology; Construction; Green/Alternative Energy

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program: