Potentials and challenges of emerging bio-polymeric façade materials: The potential application of agro-based polymers in building façades

Considerable growth in the production of bio-polymeric materials has been witnessed globally in the recent years. Bio-polymeric materials derived from renewable biomass have successfully replaced conventional materials in many applications. Although Bio-polymeric materials cover 10-15% of the global plastic market currently and are expected to grow by 10% annually to reach 6 million tons by the year 2016, their application in the field of building facades has hitherto been limited. The main focus of this paper is to discuss the potentiality of applying Bio-polymeric materials in building facades and to explore the main physical and environmental challenges they may confront to achieve that goal. It also presents a detailed background review on the bio-polymeric materials’ origin, emergence, flourish, decline and re-emergence periods in addition to exhibiting their future market status and the important factors to be considered when bringing these materials to the building facades realm.