Ventilated façades are increasingly used in building renovation and insulation, yet they often rely on cement-based materials. Cement production alone accounts for over 4 billion tons of CO₂ emissions annually (Kaptan, Cunha and Aguiar, 2024). Although alternatives such as lime, gypsum, and fly ash have been explored, their performance and processing methods remain largely unchanged. Biomass-based materials like wood offer a more sustainable alternative due to their ability to sequester CO₂ during growth (Tellnes et al., 2017). However, challenges such as moisture sensitivity, UV degradation, and biological decay must be addressed through thermal or chemical modifications, advanced coatings, or nanotechnology (Sandak, Brzezicki and Sandak, 2020).
A promising strategy is the use of biodegradable coatings. Suberinic acids, extracted from birch bark, form hydrophobic barriers that protect lignocellulosic surfaces (Kumar et al., 2022; Rizikovs et al., 2023; Shulga et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2024). Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide derived from crustacean shells, also forms protective films and binds well with cellulose (Fernandes et al., 2011; Tanpichai et al., 2020).
This study evaluates the weathering performance of façade panels coated with suberinic acids and chitosan-based formulations over a three-month period. It is part of a broader research project titled “Innovative biomass-based panels for application in external building façades.”
Keywords: facade panels, weathering, coatings, chitosan, suberinic acids, colour
Authors
Andris Berzins
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia
Ramunas Tupciauskas
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
Martins Andzs
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
Gunars Pavlovics
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
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