SAM Panels officially included in the National Environmental Database (NMD)

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What was once seen as worthless waste is today the basis for a new type of sustainable building material. How do you turn a residual stream into a valuable product? That question was central when John Smits joined research into converting biobased residual flows into plate materials in 2019.

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In the years that followed, more than 150 different waste streams were investigated, including grass, hemp, cow dung, miscanthus, cocoa and textiles. The conclusion was clear: many of these flows are ideal for making high-quality sheet materials.

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In 2022, these insights resulted in the opening of a factory where approximately 300,000 m² of sustainable sheet material is being produced. Multiple products from SAM Panels are included in the National Environmental Database (NMD) with a category 1 statement, which supports their environmental performance independently and transparently.

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SAM Panels' sheet materials find their way into various applications, such as roof structures, walls, doors, kitchen panels, furniture and acoustic solutions. The properties fit seamlessly with the requirements of modern construction: the plates are non-toxic, 100% biobased, lightweight and combine water resistance with soundproofing properties.

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According to John Smits, the real innovation lies in the production process:
“We don't use glue or resin. We make all our products using only water, pressure, heat and fibres. As a result, the plates are reusable time and time again. As part of our circular process, we also buy them back after use.”

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With this approach, SAM Panels shows that circular construction can not only be sustainable, but also practical and scalable.

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Read the full interview with John Smits on the National Environmental Database website

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