The project team aims to create the technical, economic and social foundations necessary for converting fens into climate-friendly wet-cultivation (paludiculture) areas that preserve the peat soil. Sustainably-cultivated and quality-optimized Typha plants (“cattails”) will then be used to produce not only garden substrates as peat substitutes but also marketable construction products.

At the Fraunhofer WKI, we are developing and characterizing Typha foams. For this purpose, we are adapting the process developed at the Fraunhofer WKI for the production of wood foams. The crushing of the Typha particles into extremely fine fibers and the drying of the high quantities of introduced moisture require a relatively large amount of energy. We are therefore testing various approaches in order to reduce the energy requirement. In addition, we are investigating and testing the production of sandwich boards made from Typha foam and cover layers made from pressure-resistant “TyphaBoards”, which are being developed at the Fraunhofer IBP. Our focus here is directed towards the efficient bonding of foam and cover layers. The sandwich elements are to be used, for example, as thermal insulation and cladding for timber constructions and roof trusses.

The construction materials are thereby tested in accordance with national and international standards and are prepared for certification. Furthermore, they will be tested in actual new-build and renovation projects.