Eco-friendly building material from Enviro Board

With an investment of $ 6 million, California-based Enviro Board Corporation will manufacture low-cost, concrete-like panels from highly compressed straw fibres in Punjab, which will be used to construct houses.

Glenn Camp, co-chairman, Enviro Board Corporation, speaking to Business Standard said the company was looking to establish its business in Punjab in the next six months' time. "We understand the potential and investment opportunity in the state," he said.

Using the new technology in Punjab for the first time (the Enviro Board technology), machines will be able to process up to a ton of straw at a time, and convert many varieties of these agricultural waste fibres such as rice, wheat, rye, barley and oat straws, sugar cane, and elephant grass into low-cost, environmentally friendly building panels.

"Each machine can produce over 600 panels per day, while consuming over 21 tons of straw per day. Depending on the area of the house, approximately 10-14 houses can be constructed in a day," said Camp.

He further added that the concept of building with Enviro Board would reduce labour and material cost.

The low-cost ecologically friendly panels will create a healthier living environment by reducing agricultural wastes, preventing pollution and preserving natural resources, while creating an opportunity for decent affordable housing worldwide. The company is looking to expand in 11 other cities across India""in metropolitan cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai by the year end.

"We are scouting for factory space across India, and our requirement varies from 2.5 acres-5 acres of land," stated Camp. Because of its flexibility, the Enviro Board panel can be used in a variety of applications, from exterior or interior walls, roofs, ceiling, and insulation, to office wall partitions and door cores.