ETH Zurich and Empa develop fireproof sawdust composite using struvite mineral

A team from ETH Zurich and Empa, under the guidance of Ronny Kürsteiner, has created a fire-resistant building material utilizing sawdust and struvite. This innovative, recyclable composite is a lightweight substitute for cement-bonded particleboards intended for internal walls. The technique involves an enzyme derived from watermelon seeds to regulate the crystallization of struvite, resulting in large crystals that effectively bind the sawdust. Once pressed and dried, the material demonstrates fire resistance on par with conventional boards. When exposed to heat, struvite emits water vapor and ammonia, which help extinguish flames. This composite not only prevents fire spread but is also recyclable, enabling the recovery of sawdust. The researchers plan to enhance the material and investigate cost-effective production methods, potentially using struvite from sewage treatment facilities.