Could paper be the façade material of the future? In Sweden, a solution is being tested that could reduce the carbon footprint by up to 98 per cent compared to conventional options.
Developed by the Swedish company PaperShell, the material is produced by pressing kraft or recycled paper into durable panels. This could replace carbon-intensive options such as aluminium, plastic, and fibreglass, offering a fully biogenic alternative to the mineral- and fossil-based materials dominating the façade market.
This innovation also taps into underused natural resources:
–We have two major biostreams that can replace fossil raw materials: waste from food production and forest industry residues. By taking cellulose fibre and reintroducing natural tree components, we can turn paper back into a kind of wood that is both beautiful and extremely strong, says Anders Breitholtz, CEO and founder of PaperShell.
Testing in real conditions
The paper-based material is now undergoing a year-long trial at HSB Living Lab in Gothenburg, a unique research arena that doubles as a residential building and a laboratory for real-world testing of innovations. Panels are being installed to test how the material withstands the stresses of time and weather, while sensors on the building will track its performance over the year.
In parallel, the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) are running accelerated ageing tests, exposing the panels to intense UV light and moisture. The trials are part of a Vinnova-funded collaboration that also involves Chalmers Industriteknik, Nouryon, Brixly and Stena Recycling.
A step towards sustainable construction
The tests will continue in 2025 and, if successful, could open the door to large-scale adoption, with the potential to significantly cut emissions from the construction sector.
–PaperShell as a façade material represents an exciting step towards more sustainable construction, says Madelaine Doufrix, project coordinator at HSB Living Lab.
You can read the press release from HSB (in Swedish) here.
Interested in cleantech solutions? Explore Swedish cleantech companies at swedishcleantech.com/companies
