Houses Built From Plastic Waste Are Sturdier Than Concrete

Your next house could be built from eighteen tons of plastic that was previously destined for the landfill. A company called Affresol has discovered a method of turning discarded plastic into a molded material that is similar to concrete but is much stronger.

Affresol calls their product Thermo Poly Rock. They abbreviate it TPR, but it should in no way be confused with thermoplastic rubber – which is also abbreviated TPR. According to Affresol:

TPR3 is a "thermo set polymer" that is produced from a cold process that takes selected waste products that have been diverted from landfill. This pre selected waste is recycled then size reduced, after which it is mixed with a Resin and the TPR Polymers. The result is a mouldable liquid compound that is poured like concrete and when it is cured is stronger than concrete.

The waste streams that will be used in this process will all be diverted from landfill.

TPR3 is poured into moulds in the same way as concrete and will be left to cure for 24 hours. When TPR3 is in its solid form it has the following intrinsic attributes:

• TPR stronger than concrete


• TPR has excellent thermal insulation characteristics


• TPR is very durable (estimated at 80 years)


• TPR is water proof


• TPR is fire retardant


• TPR is not susceptible to insect infestation


• TPR does not rot


• TPR does not leech any harmful elements


• TPR has a Low Carbon Footprint


• TPR is 100% recycleable


• TPR has better flex and tensile characteristics than concrete.

Thermo Poly Rock (TPR) can be manufactured in different strength grades and the strength grade is denoted by a suffix. Affresol house sections are constructed from TPR3.

Geez, talk about an innovation in reusability. It will be interesting to track how well Affresol [hopefully] brings TPR building into the mainstream. Imagine the plastic waste that could be diverted from both landfills and recycling centers!

Source: MetroHippie