Agriculture
February 29, 2024
Product Description
Replast blocks are entirely made of recycled plastic without additives and fillers. They are designed to be a complementary integration to traditional building materials such as lumber, steel, and cement.
Target SDGs
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Market Suggested Retail Price
$1.95
Target Users (Target Impact Group)
Household
Distributors / Implementing Organizations
ByFusion
Competitive Landscape
Direct competitors include Bloqueplas, Bottle Bricks, and Earthen Bag.
Regions
Worldwide
Manufacturing/Building Method
ByFusion has developed a machine that produces the RePlast blocks from plastic waste. The machine and the blocks are still in a proof of concept phase. The blocks can be used in infrastructure work or as wall fill.
Intellectural Property Type
Trademark
User Provision Model
The ByFusion machine is self contained and can fit into one shipping container so it can be brought where the plastic is located.
Distributions to Date Status
One building on Kauai made out plastic marine debris and plastic household waste
Unit dimensions (cm)
40.0 x 19.8 x 22.7 cm3
Primary materials
Plastic
Complimentary materials
None
Fire Resistance (hr)
Unknown
Thermal Insulation Capacity
K-Factor: 0.86
Compressive Strength (MPa)
2.81 MPa
Suitable Climates
All climates
Design Specifications
RePlast blocks are created through the following process:
- Plastic trash enters the machine
- Plastic is shredded into small pieces
- The pieces move through a water boiler and compacter that fuses the plastics into RePlast building bricks (the process is non-toxic and no adhesives are used)
- The machine also includes a 600 gallon tank that recycles the waste water for 10-16 weeks
The construction of a RePlast wall includes:
- RePlast blocks
- rebar steel rods (two through each block module)
- steel plate for top of wall
- tape for top of wall
- chicken wire to cover surface of wall
- scratch layer
- stucco layer as final finish
7 types of plastic can be used to make the blocks. They are:
- Poluethylene Terephthalate
- High Density Polyethylene
- Vinyl
- Low Density Polyethylene
- Polyethylene
- Polystyrene (can’t be used individually)
- Other
Fusion Machine specifications (for 500 blocks per day):
- Number of Containers: 1 x 40ft High Cube
- Processing Capacity (per day): 3,200 – 4,500kg or 3.5 – 5.0 tons
- Output per shift: ~500 blocks per day
- Number of operators required: 2
- Amount of fuel required per hour (diesel): 11 -19 liters (3 – 5 gallons)
- Space required: 33m2 (40yards2
- Types of plastic processed: 1-7
- Water supply: 1.3cm – 1.9cm (½” – ¾”)
- Electrically supply (optional configuration): Self-powered generator or local power grid (3-phase plug/US 240-watt outlet)
Product Schematics
Technical Support
The machine requires minimal staff and training to operate.
Replacement Components
The machine itself is made with standard industry parts that can be replaced in most parts of the world.
Lifecycle
+100 years
Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters
No glues or adhesives, no crack or crumble, zero-waste process, no specialized labor required.
Vetted Performance Status
ByFusion claims that the product has undergone initial independent testing for compression, R-value, and shear strength, but no results are provided. RePlast has been used over the past few years in retaining wall projects and has withstood severe climatic conditions including earthquakes and has not shown signs of failure.
Safety
Workers may be exposed to regular dangers of a construction site that include working at heights and with sharp tools and materials. Standard safety procedures must also be followed in the operation of the ByFusion machine.
Although ByFusion intends to conduct testing for fire resistance, they recommend applying a mortar finish to protect from UV damage and to create a thermal heat barrier.
Complementary Technical Systems
None
Academic Research and References
“Data Sheet”, ByFusion, accessed on March 8, 2024, https://www.byfusion.com/byblock#data-sheet-overlay
Compliance with regulations
Unknown
Evaluation methods
ASTM C165-07, ASTM D1761-12, ASTM C518-017, ASTM E90-09, ASTM E831-19
Other Information
“ByBlock”, ByFusion, accessed on March 8, 2024, https://www.byfusion.com/byblock/
“Building for the Future”, ByFusion, accessed on March 8, 2024, https://www.byfusion.com/building-for-the-future/
“FAQ”, ByFusion, accessed on March 8, 2024, https://www.byfusion.com/faq-byblock/
Explore similar solutions
Agriculture
February 29, 2024
Hydraform M9
Read SolutionImplemented by
Hydraform
Agriculture
March 7, 2024
NRG Insulated Block
Read SolutionImplemented by
Francis Kennedy
Agriculture
February 26, 2024
Bloqueplas
Read SolutionImplemented by
Grupo Ecoplasso
Agriculture
March 1, 2024
Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB)
Read Solution
Agriculture
March 6, 2024
Micro Concrete Roofing Tiles
Read Solution
Agriculture
June 30, 2024
Lifeway Solar E-Rickshaw
Read SolutionImplemented by
Lifeway Solar
Agriculture
June 23, 2024
Carpolo
Read SolutionImplemented by
Carpolo (Mohammad Nabaa & Ralph Khairallah)
Agriculture
March 13, 2024
Biobo
Read SolutionImplemented by
Mycotech Lab (MYCL)
Agriculture
March 14, 2024
Stramit Board
Read SolutionImplemented by
Straw Resource Ltd.
Get more information about Solutions Library and its features.
Learn MoreHave thoughts on how we can improve?
Give Us Feedback
Accessibility of the machine is a key issue that perhaps needs to be addressed. Accessibility in terms of shipping/distribution to various locations (remote areas?), accessibility to distributors/dealers, as well as accessibility in terms of cost.
If this machine costs US$50,000, then the business model is such that only licensed proprietors who seek to establish a business producing these are the market.
Until then, determining an average cost per block on the market is relative and unknown.
I would also continue to include “the manufacturer claims….” for all other performance criteria, since very little performance data has been provided.
Market Suggested Price: Will costs be determined per block or per machine? The end-user will be purchasing blocks for $X, but the cost of the machine is actually $100,000. The cost of the machine, and the set-up service costs, are all factors in determining the market. A machine purchase may be accessible for municipalities or entrepreneurs who serve as distributors, but perhaps a machine rental by a single project manager or procurement person on a single community-building project may be limited until a distribution chain is developed.
It’s a good idea, but I’m not seeing indications that it will be accessible, particularly for underserved communities, anytime soon.
Intellectual Property: If this category is to be included, it will need to also indicate which specific aspects are protected, the country of protection, and whether or not the patent has been granted or is in process. All (and others) are factors in intellectual property rights, and it may be misleading for viewers to simply say it is patented and closed to replication/distribution.
There may be just one part or component that is patented, so if Intellectual property category is included in this solutions library, it then opens up other necessary qualifying clarifications.
In general, by protecting this innovation, the manufacturer is choosing to control the distribution, which makes one question the intent of saving a global issue, or capitalizing (and limiting) its reach.
Competitive Landscape: Hydraform Earth block machine.
Waste to Value blocks? Or alternative blocks?
Could Strawbales, other CEBs and adobe also be competitors?
Target User: This needs clarification if ‘user’ will be the actual person who buys blocks, or the block machine purchaser. For the person who buys blocks, unless a business/supply chain model is explained, I’m not sure how the average home-builder would obtain these blocks. If a machine purchaser, the target user might be large scale entities who can afford the machine- such as municipalities or entrepreneurs who will then rent or lease out the machine locally.
It would be important to note what is verified claims and what are manufacturer’s claims.
Fuel needs to be a consideration, and may be a limiting factor in under-resourced communities.
Transporting the machine to site locations with limited road-networks and poor conditions may prove to be a limitation.