Canada: Researchers at Université Laval have developed an alternative wallboard panel using earth and wood fibres. The study sourced wood fibres from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) supplied by composite panels producer Uniboard. Test boards displayed comparable mechanical and thermal properties to 16mm-thick CertainTeed Type X gypsum wallboard, with increased acoustic insulation capacities. However, their reduced modulus of rupture increases the risk of breakage during handling or installation, while they are over twice as combustible as conventional gypsum wallboard, necessitating a reduction of wood fibre content or the use of fireproofing additives in any future commercial recipe. The boards are suitable for production at existing gypsum wallboard plants.

Canada Research Fibreboard wood performance recipe Université Laval soil