25 Aug Is Magnesium Oxide Board Sustainable?
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Are you interested in the sustainability of MgO boards? Most construction materials, like plywood or drywall, have moderate or low sustainability! Let’s see whether MgO is sustainable!
Unveiling the Eco-Secret: Is MgO Truly Sustainable?
The MgO board is very sustainable! Hailed as a new generational ecological material, it has many benefits. Besides sustainability, it is eco-friendly, non-toxic, recyclable, and much more!
Low Carbon Footprint
The production of MgO boards generally requires less energy than other materials. The manufacturing process for MgO involves lower-temperature processing. It means that less energy is consumed during production. This lower energy need means that there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions are connected to CO2 sequestration. What does that mean? MgO boards undergo curing, which is a process of hardening a material through cooling, drying, or crystallization. During this process, MgO boards can absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. As a result, they sequester the carbon dioxide. Sequestration is the process of storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is a method designed to combat climate change!
In simple words, the production of MgO boards equals less CO2 released. Furthermore, as the boards harden, they can suck CO2 out of the air. This way, MgO boards can further reduce greenhouse gasses.
Non-Toxic Composition
Did you know that MgO boards do not contain harmful chemicals? Unlike most materials, MgO boards do not contain asbestos, formaldehyde, ammonia, silica, or benzene. These components are very common in other building materials. Most of these substances, such as asbestos or ammonia, have harmful health effects. Also, they contribute to indoor air pollution.
The absence of this chemical in MgO boards is also beneficial for other reasons. MgO boards are a safer choice for construction workers and building occupants. For example, people who work with asbestos are at risk of serious disease.
Plus, MgO has low to no chloride content. The ones that contain chloride are usually below 8 %. It minimizes the risk of corrosion for metal fasteners and other structures (in contact with the board).
Natural Materials
MgO ‘s main component is magnesium oxide, which occurs in nature. Magnesium oxide is a derivative of magnesite (MgCO3). This hardy mineral can also be extracted from seawater. Both magnesite and seawater are abundant resources.
Other natural materials are also components of MgO boards. MgO boards contain fillers like wood fibers and perlite. They can also contain additives, but they are always natural and mineral-based. These natural additives further reduce reliance on synthetic materials. Most other construction materials are a combination of organic and inorganic materials. The biggest issues with other materials is the use of adhesives and glues.
Sustainable Mining Practices
Magnesite is obtained through surface mining. Also known as open-pit mining, surface mining is a method of extracting minerals. It involves removing the top layers of soil to access the mineral deposits near the Earth’s surface.
Magnesite is often found in relatively shallow deposits. It is one of the many reasons why it is well-suited for surface mining techniques. This surface mining comes with many environmental and operational advantages. Surface mining involves less extensive excavation compared to underground mining.
It reduces the general footprint of the mining operation. Also, it minimizes the disturbance of the surrounding landscape. Surface mining is also safer then underground mining. So, there are no worries about underground gas explosions and cave-ins.
Magnesium Availability
The raw materials used for producing MgO boards are widespread and available. Time for some fun facts! Magnesium is the eighth most abundant material in the Earth’s crust, constituting about 2.1%. It can also be found in minerals such as magnesite (MgCO3), dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2), and brucite (Mg(OH)2). These materials are widespread and accessible in various regions worldwide.
As mentioned, magnesium is abundant in seawater. Its average concentration is about 1,350 parts per million (ppm),. This makes seawater a virtually inexhaustible source of magnesium. Most of the practices used for production are sustainable and efficient. The extraction methods are straightforward and involve physical and chemical processes. Techniques like the Dow process and solar evaporation allow magnesium extraction from seawater.
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Environmental Benefits of Magnesium Boards
Unlike many construction materials, MgO boards are good for the environment! They also come with other environment-related benefits.
Lower Energy Requirements
I mentioned the low energy requirements of the manufacturing process of MgO boards. But in this section, we will go into more detail. Let’s compare MgO boards to cement boards! Cement requires high temperatures for the calcination of the limestone. Through this process, we get clinker used in cement boards. But the production of cement boards calls for other treatments, like grinding, blending, and firing.
These treatments are very energy-intensive. Plus, they often result in CO2 emissions. The lower energy need for producing MgO boards means less fossil fuel consumption. This energy efficiency makes MgO boards more environmentally friendly.
Additionally, MgO board production often involves simpler steps than other manufacturing processes. This also minimizes energy consumption. Magnesite is often found in shallow deposits. It means that the mining process consumes less energy. Generally, you need less energy because you do not always need excavation equipment.
Long Lifespan
MgO boards are very durable and resistant to fire, mold, mildew, and moisture. This long lifespan reduces the need to replace them. You do not have to worry about them warping, breaking, or replacing them. This also minimizes the environmental impact associated with their production. The reinstalling and transporting of new boards can be costly, but you do not have to worry about that! It is unlikely you will have to replace them.
Also, the long lifespan of MgO boards means fewer resources are consumed over time. Their longevity contributes to sustainability by decreasing the need for frequent manufacturing.
End-of-Life Options
MgO boards can be recycled at the end of their useful life! You can extract the magnesium content and reuse it in various industrial applications. Yes, this means you can recycle it and use it to produce new MgO boards. This is a great way to conserve natural resources and reduce waste.
Also, you can repurpose MgO boards for other uses. Those include ground cover, road base material. You can even use it as an additive in other construction products.
The repurposing prevents it from ending up in landfills. If recycling or repurposing is impossible, MgO boards can still be safely disposed of. You do not have to worry about releasing harmful substances into the environment! The inert nature of MgO ensures minimal environmental impact from disposal.
Conclusion
The MgO board is sustainable! Compared to other materials, it is probably the most sustainable construction material. Manufacturing MgO boards leaves less carbon footprint. They are also made of natural materials and through sustainable mining processes.
I’ve also mentioned the process of obtaining and analyzing raw materials for the boards. In the second part of the article, I have presented the other environmental benefits. Some of those are their longevity, durability, recyclability, and lower energy requirements.