Sativa Building Systems (SBS) has been awarded a contract worth $1.9 million by the U.S. Army to develop biobased insulation over the next two years. This project is part of the Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) initiative, which builds upon SBS’s previous work with hemp-based materials.
Zach Popp, President and Founder of SBS, stated the company aims to expand its product offerings to include lighter and more versatile biobased insulation products with support from the Army. He noted that this collaboration aims to further develop construction materials that meet sustainability criteria.
Hempcrete, a key component of SBS’s existing products, functions as a semi-structural wall insulation but is less suitable for applications in ceilings and floors. As SBS concludes the code certification process for its Z Panel hempcrete block panel, the company is actively pursuing new product lines.
SBS’s Phase I project with the U.S. Army last year resulted in the development of a new fully biobased insulation that incorporates hemp while utilizing an alternative binding agent.
Popp expressed appreciation for the Army’s support in this research and development phase, recognizing the importance of such assistance in advancing the company’s product innovations.
