Hebel aerated concrete for musHroom cultivation - Xella UK

Hebel aerated concretefor mushroom cultivation

Hebel aerated concrete and mushrooms:an iron-clad duo!Mushrooms – they are popular the world over.Healthy, rich in vitamins and minerals and, aboveall: delicious! Demand for mushrooms is growingand, therefore, so too is the need for productionfacilities. Building them using Hebel aeratedconcrete panels means building them accordingto all requirements imaginable.Since ancient times, mushroomshave been cultivated in locationswhere the climate conditions arenaturally ideal, like stone quarries.Nowadays, mushroom cultiva-tion is a modern, conditioned andindustrialised process. Production,sorting and processing arevirtually fully automated. Only theharvest is still a manual activity.Growing conditions:from compost to myceliumto mushroomMushrooms grow in a speciallymade compost preparedfrom straw, chicken and horsemanure, gypsum and water.The compost is preparedin compost tunnels. Tunnelcomplexes often cover multipletunnels that can each be dozensof metres long. Germinatedmushroom spoors then developinto mycelium, a network of thinhyphal threads that eventuallypermeate the compost completely.The permeated compostis spread out in a thick layer incultivation cells and coveredwith a layer of mulch. The bacterialiving in this layer and theclimatic conditions stimulatethe mycelium to form the bodyof the mushroom. Provided theclimatic conditions in the cellremain ideal, new mushroomsappear every three to fourweeks. The soil needs to bereplaced regularly.2 Hebel aerated concrete

Stringent requirements…In preparing compost and cultivatingmushrooms (see text boxon page 2), atmospheric density,vapour density, hygiene andresistance to chemicals are allfactors subject to stringent requirements.Each compost tunneland cultivation cell must thereforebe hermetically sealed.… that Hebel can meetHebel aerated concrete producedby Xella Aircrete Systems meetsthese requirements. Moreover, thewall, floor and roof panels manufacturedfrom Hebel aerated concreteare strong enough to bearloads thanks to their reinforcedstructure. Other building methodsbetray their greatest weaknessesin their joints and connections.Temperature fluctuationscreate stresses that can causesealed joints to tear and cracksto appear, with all the predictableconsequences: worsening internalclimate conditions, falteringinsulation, vermin and corrosion.These are problems unknown toHebel panels. They are glued togetherto form a whole structure.The interior of the compost tunnelor cultivation cell is finished with amoisture-resistant elastic coating.The benefits of aeratedconcreteAerated concrete is a stone-likebut light construction material.It is• an excellent heat insulator• an accumulator• extremely fire-resistant• impervious to moistureand mould• very durable• light, fast and cost effectiveThe results A robust, sustainable structurethat is guaranteed as bothairtight and moisture-proof. A production facility thateffectively shuts out unwantedoutside influences and ensuresoptimum cultivation conditions. A combination of aeratedconcrete and coating that canwithstand temperaturefluctuations and changes tothe water balance. A building that, thanks toHebels heat-insulating properties,ensures far lower energyconsumption. A top rate fire-resistance.Hebel and the environmentHebel sheets are manufacturedusing all natural materials. Andbecause their production requireslimited energy, they do notimpact our living environment.Furthermore, much of theaerated concrete may be reusedin the production process.Xella Aircrete Systems alsostrives for minimal logistics,so pollution is restricted.Hebel: that’s why!So, high-quality, low investmentand running costs, an especiallyshort construction time and asustainable result. Hebel aeratedconcrete wall, floor and roofpanels essentially merge ancientcultivation techniques with a stateof-the-artconstruction system.Mushrooms and aerated concrete:an iron-clad duo!Hebel aerated concrete 3

5000.461/Procomm/0511For sales & technical adviseplease contact:Xella UKa branch of Xella BE nv/saUnit 2 The CourtyardReddicap Trading EstateSutton ColdfieldUnited Kingdom B75 7BUTel: +44 (0) 843 290 9080Fax: +44 (0) 843 290 9081Hebel is a registered trademark of the Xella GroepE: ytong-uk@xella.comW: www.xella.co.uk