Transforming OCC waste rejects into high-performance building materials
This innovative approach leverages OCC waste rejects to create high-performance, cost-effective composite materials for exterior cladding, supporting sustainable building practices and affordable housing.
Overview
The proposal focuses on transforming OCC waste rejects into high-performance building materials that can be used as exterior cladding. This innovative approach not only aims to reduce environmental impacts associated with paper mills but also supports the circular economy by minimizing waste. The process harnesses the inherent potential of OCC waste, comprising plastics, fibers, and inorganic materials, to produce composite materials that meet the increasing demand for sustainable construction solutions. This approach is expected to have economic and social benefits, particularly in supporting affordable housing strategies.
Technical specifications
The technology utilizes a combination of plastics, reinforcing fibers, and inorganic components found in OCC waste to create durable and functional cladding materials. The process involves:
- Material Acquisition and Characterization: Analyzing the composition and properties of OCC waste through morphology, surface chemistry, and thermal stability assessments.
- Composite Preparation: Using compression molding, a scalable and effective method for producing cladding materials, to form the composite. The feasibility of extrusion-based additive manufacturing is also being explored.
- Characterization of Cladding Composites: Conducting mechanical and fire testing to ensure performance meets or exceeds that of commercially available products.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 3, this technology has been validated in an analytical setting and is undergoing further development to optimize manufacturing processes and material properties.
About Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a comprehensive public research university and Oregon’s land‑grant institution, with a main campus in Corvallis and a statewide footprint. Industry partners tap a statewide Extension network and county offices to pilot and scale solutions with communities and companies across Oregon. A coastal marine science campus in Newport anchors ocean research and provides access to open‑ocean wave‑energy test ranges and grid‑connected infrastructure under development nearby, enabling sea‑to‑shore prototyping. Field stations and university‑managed research forests support long‑term trials and product validation in real‑world environments. A dedicated technology transfer office and the OSU Advantage programs—including the Advantage Accelerator—streamline IP, licensing, startup formation, and industry agreements.
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