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Mighty Buildings, a 3D printed building technology provider, will use Honeywell Solstice liquid foaming agent (LBA) as a key ingredient in the materials it uses to construct its 3D printed homes. Honeywell's low global warming potential (GWP) technology replaces traditional foam insulation, helping Mighty Buildings reduce emissions and produce strong, energy-efficient building panels. Honeywell offers aerospace, building automation, high-performance materials and technologies, and safety and productivity solutions, and the collaboration aligns its portfolio with three compelling megatrends, including the energy transition.
According to a recent United Nations Environment Programme report, the construction and building industry is responsible for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Solstice LBA has a 99.9% lower GWP than other foaming agents commonly used in construction, potentially reducing the industry's environmental impact. With Solstice LBA, 3D printed homes can be built with near-zero waste and in a shorter time than traditional construction methods.
“Combined with our patented 3D printing technology, Solstice LBA makes it possible to build comfortable, climate-resilient homes,” said Scott Gebicke, CEO of Mighty Buildings. “The construction industry is looking for fast, safe and reliable alternatives to traditional building materials. By incorporating Solstice into our production process, we can further enhance the performance and sustainability of our 3D printed products while reducing the carbon footprint of the entire construction industry.”
Architect: EYRC. Project Owner: Mighty Buildings.
3D printed panels developed with Solstice LBA are produced at Mighty Buildings' manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The facility is currently capable of printing enough panels for two homes per day, with total construction time for Mighty Building's 3D printed homes often being less than a week. Once completed, these homes require less energy to heat and cool than homes built with other common foams due to the superior insulating properties of Solstice LBA.
“Honeywell offers a range of solutions to help customers achieve their emissions reduction and energy efficiency goals,” said Jeff Domo, Honeywell president, Sustainability and Decarbonization. “Our Solstice technology is always being used in new ways, and by providing a high-performance foam blowing agent that is ozone-free and non-flammable, our collaboration with Mighty Buildings has the potential to change the future of homes and the entire building and construction industry.”
The Environmental Protection Agency has listed Honeywell Solstice LBA in its Significant New Substitutes Policy (SNAP) program, an initiative to encourage the development and adoption of alternatives to ozone-depleting substances.
Honeywell has invested more than $1 billion in research, development and the creation of new capabilities for its Solstice technology. The technology is currently being applied to refrigerants, foam blowing agents, aerosols and solvents, with expansion to metered-dose inhalers under consideration. Since its introduction in 2011, use of Honeywell's Solstice technology has reportedly prevented the potential release of more than 395 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from approximately 94 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.
