Built for the future: HI-MACS®

The building industry is responsible for almost 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions according to a 2019 report from the International Energy Agency. As such, the shift to carbon neutral construction is a crucial part of the wider transition to the green economy needed to avert climate breakdown. Such a shift will take a concerted effort from all parts of the industry, including architects, interior designers, contractors, as well as materials manufacturers and suppliers.

One of the key ways to achieve carbon neutrality is to ensure that the materials and manufacturing processes used during construction and component manufacture are as sustainable as possible. This means eliminating and reusing waste – during production and on site – and using materials with proven durability and long-lasting functionality.

Many materials and furniture manufacturers at the forefront of this shift are creating new sustainable products for the circular economy by focusing on natural materials. But producers of synthetic materials are also finding ways of making sure their products are as sustainable as possible.

Developed as a synthetic alternative to stone and ceramic surfaces in the 1960s, solid materials such as HI-MACS® have become increasingly popular in today's interiors because of their durability and flexibility, and the ability of the manufacturer to react to the latest interior design trends. Made by combining acrylic with minerals and natural pigments, HI-MACS® can be used almost everywhere, from bathrooms and kitchen counters, to feature reception desks and even building facades, as well as across residential, commercial, hospitality and healthcare sectors.

As a material, HI-MACS® already exhibits many key sustainable properties. Its longevity and durability – attested by its 15 years warranty – means that it can be used for a long time without the need for replacement. The material has the appearance of, and is almost as robust as, natural stone, but it can be sawed and drilled and joined in the same way as wood. Seamless joints can be achieved by using a non-toxic adhesive, creating large, easy-to-clean surfaces, particularly suited to healthcare settings and areas in which hygiene is a key factor.

In addition, being non-porous and free of any nanoparticles and volatile compounds ensures that this solid surface material is frequently used in hospitals and other healthcare projects. At the end of its lifetime, HI-MACS® can be disposed of safely without creating any harmful byproducts and emissions. Alternatively, it is also suited to reuse.

The product's manufacturer, LG Hausys, has also overhauled the whole manufacturing process in the last decade to conform to the strictest environmental standards. HI-MACS® factories have been steadily increasing the proportion of renewable electricity and heating from environmentally friendly alternatives which they use in their Korean and American factories. The commitment to ecology continues all the way to company logistics – the finished sheets are transported by water where possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Taken together, this means that specifying HI-MACS® can help projects achieve high scores on sustainable building certificates such as LEED, DGNB or BREEAM.

Re-using waste is also high on HI-MACS® agenda. This year alone, the manufacturer has introduced six new colours that incorporate waste products as part of their raw materials – three in the Volcanic range and another three in the Granite range. These new colours include as much as 16% recycled content and are wholly indistinguishable in quality and appearance from other HI-MACS® products, offering a more ecologically-conscious option.

HI-MACS® also offers a growing range of over a 100 different colours, providing a sustainable solution for any need. New ranges this year include Terrazzo and Aurora: the first is inspired by the distinctive speckled, colourful patterns that have come to dominate interior design, the latter by the subtle colours and ephemeral glow of the Northern Lights.

With a growing emphasis on sustainability, but without forgetting the importance of aesthetics, materials such as HI-MACS® show the way forward in trying to create a greener building industry without sacrificing the visual and sensual qualities of the buildings we love.

© Architonic