Whatsapp
CASACOR
Sustainability

Is Isopor® sustainable? Understand how the material is used in construction

We spoke to an expert about the sustainability of Isopor® and how it can be used in architectural projects from foundry to decoration

By Yeska Coelho

Updated at Apr 7, 2022, 6:45 PM - Submitted at Apr 12, 2022, 3:00 PM

05 min de leitura

(Divulgação/)

fachada de uma casa cujas paredes foram feitas com EPS Isopor Isopor® is increasingly sought after when it comes to sustainable construction . It is a 100% recyclable material made from plastic that has revolutionized the way construction projects are handled, making them cheaper and lighter. The material is still widely associated with food packaging, and this is indeed its most common use, but did you know that the construction industry is the largest consumer of Isopor® in the world ? It is also important to highlight a piece of information that few people know: Isopor® is a brand belonging to Knauf, a German company that pioneered the introduction of expanded polystyrene – EPS, the product’s real name – to Brazil.

How is Isopor® used in architecture?


CASA COR RIO DE JANEIRO - Tod’s – Armazém Todeschini - O projeto de Pedro Paranaguá reserva uma grande mesa coletiva, da Arquivo Contemporâneo, para degustação. Os quatro pendentes logo acima são feitos de isopor. Tecidos naturais como linho, algodão, couro e corda (Empório Beraldin e JRJ) deixam tudo mais aconchegante, enquanto o papel de parede tipo palha evoca o clima rústico. Currently, several coatings are produced based on expanded polystyrene. "EPS Isopor® is increasingly playing a major role and providing innovative solutions at all stages of the construction process ", says Lucas Oliveira, project manager at Knauf.
CASA COR Santa Catarina 2015. Sustainable Loft - Juliana Jagelski, Ana Holzer, Arianne Saut da Silveira and Flávia Saut - The project uses a shipping container, which houses the second floor of the 77m² loft. The vertical garden covers the base of the structure and generates thermal comfort. The proposal combines sustainability and technology, bringing photovoltaic energy (provided by Weg) and the innovation of the Monoforte construction system, which consists of EPS panels (better known as isopor®) integrated with galvanized steel meshes to compose the walls.
(Divulgação / CASACOR)
The manufacture of expanded polystyrene for civil construction is different, and there are specific standards to determine its resistance and durability . "As it is a very flexible material in relation to its application, it can be manufactured with different density ranges, according to standard and with the correct specifications. There will be no problems", guarantees Lucas Oliveira.

Sustainable material


Fachada de uma casa feita com paredes em EPS Isopor Isopor® is being considered as one of the favorite raw materials to replace other traditional materials. Starting with weight . Hardware, ceramic blocks and other traditional materials tend to increase the weight of the construction, while EPS is basically composed of plastic and air, and therefore, its lightness is superior. Lucas Oliveira also highlights a fundamental point about the material: the fact that it is fully recyclable . "The recycling process should be done like any other plastic material. Knauf Isopor® strongly encourages Reverse Logistics, through partnerships and projects (Associations such as NGOs), develops PEVs (voluntary collection points, has environmental seals, and uses discarded post-consumer Isopor® to produce recycled material. The biggest challenge is environmental education and awareness ", he explains. It is also worth noting that despite being based on plastic, the composition of expanded polystyrene has only 2% of the material in its composition , while 98% of its formula is air.