U.S. Army Invests $1.9M To Develop Hemp-Manufactured Buildings For Military Operations

The U.S. Army, through its Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), has awarded a $1.9 million grant to Americhanvre Cast Hemp for extensive research into hempcrete, which is a groundbreaking construction material.

The initiative marks a significant stride in harnessing eco-friendly technologies to diminish the carbon footprint of construction practices, aligning with the Department of Defense's Climate Adaptation Plan and the Army Climate Strategy.

The SBIR holds the potential to bridge the Army with firms traditionally outside the SBIR's purview, leveraging advancements in low-logistics structural materials to combat the carbon-heavy aspects of military operations.

Bridging Innovation And Sustainability

Americhanvre, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is set to delve into the core performance metrics of hempcrete, focusing on its fire resistance, insulation capabilities, and overall carbon impact.

Americhanvre's co-founder, Cameron McIntosh emphasized the project's ability to streamline material testing, paving the way for large-scale sustainable construction projects.

The collaboration with French technology through the Baumer Ereasy Spray Applied Hempcrete system underscores an international effort to drive sustainability in building practices.

Harnessing French Innovation

The exclusive partnership with French innovator Damien Baumer's Ereasy system brings sophisticated technology to the U.S., blending lime and hemp into a spray-applied hempcrete.

Notably, the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center at Penn State University will extend its monitoring regimen to six hempcrete installations nationwide, offering invaluable data on the material's performance in diverse environments.

What Is Hempcrete?

Hempcrete is a sustainable building material made from a mixture of hemp hurd and lime binder, known for its mold, fire and pest resistance. It also has carbon-sequestering capabilities.

Submitted for approval as an appendix in the International Residential Codes (IRC) by the US Hemp Building Foundation, hempcrete's certification could change the construction industry by allowing builders to use it without needing an "alternative material variance."

The material's vapor-permeability, thermal regulation and eco-friendly attributes position it as a promising alternative to traditional construction materials.

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