Carbon Storing Straw Structural Insulated Panel (S-SIP) for Wide-Scale Application

The Need and Our Technology: Most wall systems built in the US emit carbon during production (embodied carbon). The building industry accounts for 39% of global CO2 emissions, with 11% of these emissions from the embodied carbon of materials due to sourcing, manufacturing, and implementation. Verdant Structural Engineers (VSE) will combat embodied carbon emissions and strengthen the structural insulated panel (SIP) market by creating straw SIP alternatives (S-SIPs) for single-family residential to mid-rise commercial applications in the US. Technology Innovation: Straw is composed of atmospheric carbon which has been converted to "solid" stored carbon by photosynthesis. In the field, straw decomposes and re-releases the stored carbon back into the atmosphere. In an S-SIP, straw is protected from decomposition. The carbon which was absorbed by the grain plant is not re-released, resulting in stored carbon or negative carbon emissions. The product�s Model 1 designs will offer a 5.5 inch thick wall with conventional finishing options that are code applicable for most climate and structural l zones in the USA. The panel will also employ mechanized construction, which is currently nonexistent in domestic straw construction at the scale proposed. Technical Feasibility: The production of this technology is feasible due to recent advancements in the building science of moisture and the thermal behavior of straw. Results of Phase 1: The concept of VSE's S-SIP technology was proven in Phase 1. The straw-based panel will easily meet the thickness, weight, construction, cost, performance, and code compliance requirements for a speedy market deployment schedule to combat the urgent climate crisis. End Users: S-SIP wall systems will be used by building owners, developers, designers, and builders that are interested in lowering the embodied and overall carbon emissions, toxicity, and end-of-life waste associated with their structures. Potential Market Size: Since 2016, residential straw bale building projects at VSE have doubled, and the SIP market itself is �expected to reach the market value of around $500 Mn by 2026 and anticipated to grow at a CAGR of more than 4.5%� (Acumen). Performance Compared to Current Technologies: No current comparable technology with notable national market share contains this level of negative embodied carbon performance. Environmental Benefits: The VSE S-SIP is non-toxic, safe for workers and building occupants, and biodegradable at end-of-life. Production projections estimate 74 million kgs of CO2 stored in 5 years which is the equivalent of 8,333,521 gallons of gasoline.