In Germany, a startup is using waste hops from the country’s world-renown beer-brewing industry to produce materials for construction. Called HopfON—so named because of Hopfen, the German word for hops—the company was the brainchild of two Technical University of Munich students.
The company uses the leaves and vines from hops cultivation in Germany’s Hallertau region. The biomass is dried, purified, and chopped before binding agents are added. The resulting material is suitable for acoustic panels, thermal insulation, and building boards. Drywall alternatives are also under development.