Durability Evaluation of New Composite Materials for the Construction of Beehives

Andrés Felipe Rubiano-Navarrete (), Camilo Lesmes Fabian, Yolanda Torres-Pérez and Edwin Yesid Gómez-Pachón
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Andrés Felipe Rubiano-Navarrete: Grupo de Investigación en Diseño, Innovación y Asistencia Técnica de Materiales Avanzados-DITMAV, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia-UPTC, Tunja 150003, Colombia
Camilo Lesmes Fabian: Centro de Investigaciones en Ingenierías Francisco Albán Estupiñán, Escuela de Ingeniería Ambiental, Corporación Universitaria del Meta—UniMeta, Villavicencio 500001, Colombia
Yolanda Torres-Pérez: Grupo de Investigación en Energía y Nuevas Tecnologías—GENTE, Escuela Ingeniería Electromecánica, Facultad Duitama, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia—UPTC, Duitama 150461, Colombia
Edwin Yesid Gómez-Pachón: Grupo de Investigación en Diseño, Innovación y Asistencia Técnica de Materiales Avanzados-DITMAV, Escuela de Diseño Industrial, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia-UPTC, Duitama 150461, Colombia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: Given the current situation we face regarding climate change, one of the greatest and most critical concerns is related to the reduction in the bee population. This population largely depends on beekeeping production units around the world. However, these production units also face great challenges in the construction of beehives, as pine word generally deteriorates within a period of five years or less. This relatively rapid deterioration has both economic and environmental repercussions, which may affect the economic sustainability of the beekeeping system. The objective of this research was the production and subsequent evaluation of the durability of alternative composite materials that can be used in beehive construction. The materials are based on high-density polyethylene and agro-industrial residues (fique fiber, banana fiber, and goose feathers) from the Boyacá region of Colombia. The composite materials studied in the present study were exposed to xylophagous fungi for 90 days, at constant humidity and under controlled temperature conditions that are conducive to fungi proliferation. The results showed that composite materials that include fique fibers are the most promising substitute for wood in the construction of beehives. Indeed, these materials were shown to be 80% more resistant to pathogen attack and durable weight loss than pine wood. These durability results may be of great importance for future implementation in beekeeping production units. They have the potential to impact not only the sustainable development of rural communities, but also to make a great ecological contribution by reducing the need to cut down trees while maintaining the health of beehives.

Keywords: new materials; sustainable beehives; xylophagous fungi; sustainable development; apiculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14683-:d:966298

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