RICE HUSKS AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION

The growing global demand for agricultural food products has inevitably led to increased amounts of natural agro-industrial by-products. Derived from agricultural and industrial processes, these by-products have traditionally and conservatively been considered waste, and their management represents significant environmental challenges. Currently, the potential of this type of natural materials to be reused in new products with added value is recognized, thus contributing to the development of the circular economy at international level but also in Romania. Current research trends in the field of sustainable construction emphasize the numerous benefits of using natural materials in the development of green building products. The paper presents a series of experimental laboratory research with the aim of studying the potential of rice husk, a natural agro-industrial by-product resulting from the food industry, to be used in construction.