用稻殼蓋房子？真的行！

美國永續建材公司 Modern Mill 近日宣布，旗下創新建材 ACRE 正式擴大應用領域。這款由升級再製的稻殼製成的新型材料，不僅具備木材的溫潤質感與加工特性，更完全不需砍伐任何樹木，成為對抗森林濫伐與建築碳排的重要替代方案。

U.S.-based sustainable building materials company Modern Mill has recently announced the expanded application of its innovative material, ACRE. Made from upcycled rice husks, ACRE replicates the warmth and workability of wood - without cutting down a single tree - offering a powerful alternative to combat deforestation and reduce carbon emissions in the construction industry.

ACRE 的製造過程採用位於美國密西西比州的零廢棄工廠，不僅不含揮發性有機化合物（VOC）、酚、甲醛或永久性化學物質，還徹底區隔於傳統合板與木質複合材料，有效避免室內空氣污染與潛在健康風險。

ACRE is manufactured in a zero-waste facility located in Mississippi. The production process is entirely free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phenols, formaldehyde, and forever chemicals, setting it apart from traditional plywood and wood composites. This makes ACRE not only environmentally friendly but also a safer option for indoor air quality and human health.

Modern Mill 表示，ACRE 材質本身具備高度防水、防蟲與耐候性，應用範圍涵蓋外牆飾板、門窗邊框、露台地板與建築面板等，是多功能且可回收的循環建材。其使用不僅可延長建築壽命，也符合全球對於環保建材的嚴格標準。

According to Modern Mill, ACRE is waterproof, insect-resistant, and weather-resistant, making it highly versatile for applications such as exterior cladding, window and door trim, decking, and architectural panels. It is a fully recyclable circular material that extends the lifespan of structures while meeting the world’s strictest standards for green building materials.

「當像 ACRE 這樣的產品，能兼顧美感、功能與環境責任，我們為何還要砍伐森林來製作外牆、裝飾板與地板？」Modern Mill 行銷長 Kim Guimond 在接受《Builder》雜誌採訪時表示。

“When a product like ACRE offers aesthetics, performance, and environmental responsibility, why would we still cut down trees to make siding, trim, and decking?” said Kim Guimond, Chief Marketing Officer of Modern Mill, in an interview with Builder magazine.

Data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that the building and construction sector accounted for 37% of global annual carbon emissions in 2023, making it a major driver of climate change. The World Resources Institute (WRI) has also emphasized that while wood is lower in carbon emissions compared to steel and concrete, timber harvesting is still not a carbon-neutral process - underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives.

根據聯合國環境規劃署（UNEP）資料，建築與營建業於 2023 年占全球年碳排總量的 37%，是氣候變遷的重要推手。世界資源研究所（WRI）也指出，雖然木材相對於水泥與鋼材來得低碳，但木材開採本身仍非碳中和行為，因此呼籲加速尋找替代材料。

The World Economic Forum estimates that decarbonizing the built environment could unlock up to $1.8 trillion in market opportunities.

As a key player in this transition, ACRE was recently named a 2025 Sustainable Product of the Year by Green Builder magazine - marking Modern Mill’s second recognition by the award.

作為建築永續轉型的重要推手，ACRE 近期更獲選為《Green Builder》雜誌評選的「2025 年永續產品獎」得主，這也是 Modern Mill 第二次入選該獎項。

“Modern Mill is committed to creating building materials that meet the demands of modern design while delivering positive environmental impact,” Guimond said in a press release.

ACRE 目前已對外銷售，開放建築設計師與業主選用，適用於各類型的住宅與商業空間。知名工匠與電視設計師 Chip Wade 在影片中也表示：「ACRE 結合了木材的美感與 PVC 的實用性，不論是切割、上漆或染色都非常容易，並有多種輪廓樣式可供選擇。」

ACRE is now available for purchase and can be used by architects, designers, and property owners across both residential and commercial projects. Chip Wade, renowned craftsman and TV designer, remarked in a promotional video: “ACRE combines the beauty of wood with the utility of PVC. It’s easy to cut, paint, and stain - and comes in a variety of profiles to suit any design.”

隨著永續建材技術持續推陳出新，像 ACRE 這類創新產品，正在改寫我們對於建築未來的想像。

With the continued evolution of sustainable building technologies, innovations like ACRE are redefining the future of architecture and construction.