At 12% moisture, air-dried yields from retted straw in Ontario can range from 2.6-14.0 tons per hectare. Higher yields can be obtained by planting earlier, using better production management and suitable cultivars. The yield of hemp is determined by the fibre content and total stalk yield per hectare.
In Northern Ontario, Canada, agriculture is essential in supplying a range of resources, including building materials.
The hemp manufacturing process starts with harvesting and processing the hemp fibres by soaking the stalks. Following this, hemp batt insulation can be created by using a carding machine and rollers. Hempcrete can be created by mixing the hemp shivs with lime and water and putting the mixture into a mould to set.
The manufacturing process of straw starts with the collection of agricultural residues from cereal crops like wheat, barley, and rye. These are then cleaned and dried in which they are then considered straw. Balers turn the straw into bales which can be used as insulation within pre-fab construction.
Mycelium remains an experimental product that has not yet reached widespread commercialization, while its manufacturing process involves cultivating fungal networks to form sustainable and versatile materials.
Cellulose batt insulation is produced by collecting recycled material, shredding and blending it into pulp, and then using a machine to convert it into batt insulation.
For trees to reach maturity, it takes decades, creating a cyclical manufacturing process that is heavily reliant on replanting. Following the logging of the timber, the wood is milled and used to create panels.
Trees take decades to grow, resulting in a cyclical manufacturing process significantly reliant on replanting. Once harvested, timber goes through sawing and milling operations to create a range of sizes allowing for the wood to be used in a variety of building assemblies. Following their use in construction, timber can be re-used when disassembled or turned into mulch to biodegrade back to soil.
Lime is used within the creation of various building materials such as lime plaster, and hempcrete. The limestone is extracted from quarries and then crushed and heated within a kiln. For Lime plaster, the resulting product is mixed with water and an aggregate such as sand and the mix is applied as a wet finish to walls, ceilings, and floors.
