From popcorn to seaweed: 4 future-friendly building materials

Seagrass is a market-ready renewable thermal insulation material that’s easy to process. Photos: dpa

As the world continues to wrestle with climate change, the construction industry is reconsidering the materials it uses. Old hits such as clay, wood and straw are coming back into fashion, and new research is identifying novel approaches with a smaller carbon footprint.

Here are four sustainable building materials you’re likely to see more of in the future.