Green buildings are not buildings in “green” colour. Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) defines green building as “the one that uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste, and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard building. Green infrastructure uses industrial byproducts, emphasizes on recycling of waste water, water conservation, least use of air conditioning and less production of carbon dioxide and tries to safeguard the environment in every possible way”. About 40 to 60 % energy can be saved in a green building according to the code developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
In many ways, composites are good candidate materials for the construction of green buildings and infrastructure. Already it is silently serving this purpose. No effort is, however, being made by the stake holders in composites industry to bring this fact to the attention of the public at large and the policy makers in particular and to get its due recognition and the associated benefits.
Glass fibre reinforced gypsum composite panels using the gypsum by products are being used for making various panels in buildings. Glass fibre reinforced cement panels made of alkali resistant glass fibre like cem-FIL are much thinner in size than reinforced cement concrete or ferrocement panels and up to 40 % fly ash, an industrial waste, can be used for making such panels. Natural fibres can be used as reinforcements in plastics for interior decoration, paneling, furniture, kitchen cabinets and cupboards. The plastics matrix cover protects these fibres enhancing their durability.
FRP tanks and chemical plants are being used for waste water treatment and for making pressure pipes and cylinders for water recycling. Modular sandwich claddings and partitions not only help to save energy needed for air conditioning, but also cut down noise in buildings. Composites used as wood substitution materials in buildings for making doors, windows, roof panels and wall panels help to preserve trees from felling for this purpose.
Unfortunately, because plastics are being used in composites and plastics are considered non-recyclable, some people tend to list composites along with materials that are unfriendly to the environment. The glass fibre and plastics are materials made out of natural resources as in the case of steel, cement and bricks and the energy used for making them is no way more than that used for making bricks, cement, steel or glass panels. Plastics if required can be recycled and re-used. Plastics made of renewable vegetation will be coming into use and this will make them more acceptable.
There are already 30 million sq. ft. area of certified green buildings in India and this will be rapidly growing. It is high time that composites industry give more attention to this innovative use of composites.
Dr. N.G. NAIR
Honorary Editor
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