158 “Forests have the potential to play a central role in the circular economy by providing renewable raw materials so sourcing products from SFI-certified forests is a great way to support the circular economy and conserve our planet’s precious resources,” says the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.1 As with other resources, reuse is better than using virgin materials where possible. Reclaimed wood or wood from climate-smart forests can reduce the harmful impacts of a construction project. Engineered woods are also an option but it is important to ensure that products do not contain formaldehyde resins or other harmful additives. Softwoods Timber from softwoods is popular in construction projects as the pine or spruce trees from which it is most commonly sourced are usually in forests that are sustainably managed. As the name suggests, these woods are soft enough to be easy to work with. Hardwoods These dense, often slow-growing woods mostly come from deciduous trees. Temperate hardwoods such as beech, birch and oak are common in Europe, North and South America and Australasia. Tropical hardwoods such as mahogany and teak are grown in Central and West Africa, Central and South America, and South East Asia. Unsustainable cultivation practices can be an issue with tropical hardwoods. Future materials New construction materials are emerging, tailored to overcome the problems associated with existing materials. The UK’s Henry Royce Institute is using computational design and machine learning techniques to develop new materials. The possibilities of improving sustainability of materials through biomanufacturing is also being explored at the Institute.2 Cruise and ferry designers can look to aviation for ideas regarding the materials of the future. Six sustainable cabin materials identified by the FlyZero initiative have good prospects for marine interiors: bio-plastics; bio-composite reinforcements; grape waste for bio-leather; bio-elastomers for natural rubber; silica fire coatings and aerogels in which liquid is replaced by gas. PRODUCTS AND MATER I ALS “ Responsible sourcing of wood can benefit construction projects in many ways. Wood is more carbon- and energyefficient in comparison to other building materials” Forest Stewardship Council 1 Source: Sustainable Forestry Initiative, ESG 2 Source: Henry Royce Institute, Chemical Materials Design
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