Abstract: A method may include determining a first dry mass flow rate of a wet paper material stream based on a first amount of contaminants, a first moisture content, and a first wet mass flow rate of the wet paper material stream, determining a second dry mass flow rate of a wet plastic material stream based on a second amount of contaminants, a second moisture content, and a second wet mass flow rate of the wet plastic material stream, calculating, using the first dry mass flow rate and the second dry mass flow rate, a paper/plastic ratio of a combined stream of the paper material stream and the plastic material stream, and adjusting, a flow rate of paper into the paper material stream and a flow rate of plastic into the plastic material stream such that the calculated paper/plastic ratio of the combined stream equals a target paper/plastic ratio.

Abstract: A system for producing a composite board made of plastic and paper includes a hot press assembly. The hot press assembly includes a first heated belt configured to apply heat and pressure to a composite sandwich. The composite sandwich includes a mat comprising a mixture of paper and plastic and at least one facer positioned above or below the mat. The hot press assembly further includes a roller configured to drive the belt to move the composite sandwich through the hot press assembly and a first non-stick belt configured to separate at least a portion of the composite sandwich from the heated belt as the composite sandwich is moved through the hot press assembly.

Abstract: A method may include measuring, by an NIR device, a first near-infrared (NIR) spectrum at an edge of a composite panel formed using a blend of paper fragments and plastic fragments, measuring, by the NIR device, a second NIR spectrum at the edge of the composite panel, aggregating, by a controller of the NIR device, the first and second spectra to obtain an aggregated spectrum, and comparing the aggregated spectrum to calibration data to determine a plastic composition of the composite panel.

Abstract: A system for producing a composite board made of plastic and paper includes a hot press assembly. The hot press assembly includes a first heated belt configured to apply heat and pressure to a composite sandwich. The composite sandwich includes a mat comprising a mixture of paper and plastic and at least one facer positioned above or below the mat. The hot press assembly further includes a roller configured to drive the belt to move the composite sandwich through the hot press assembly and a first non-stick belt configured to separate at least a portion of the composite sandwich from the heated belt as the composite sandwich is moved through the hot press assembly.

Abstract: A method may include measuring, by an NIR device, a first near-infrared (NIR) spectrum at an edge of a composite panel formed using a blend of paper fragments and plastic fragments, measuring, by the NIR device, a second NIR spectrum at the edge of the composite panel, aggregating, by a controller of the NIR device, the first and second spectra to obtain an aggregated spectrum, and comparing the aggregated spectrum to calibration data to determine a plastic composition of the composite panel.

Abstract: A method may include determining a first dry mass flow rate of a wet paper material stream based on a first amount of contaminants, a first moisture content, and a first wet mass flow rate of the wet paper material stream, determining a second dry mass flow rate of a wet plastic material stream based on a second amount of contaminants, a second moisture content, and a second wet mass flow rate of the wet plastic material stream, calculating, using the first dry mass flow rate and the second dry mass flow rate, a paper/plastic ratio of a combined stream of the paper material stream and the plastic material stream, and adjusting, a flow rate of paper into the paper material stream and a flow rate of plastic into the plastic material stream such that the calculated paper/plastic ratio of the combined stream equals a target paper/plastic ratio.

Abstract: A building system including a first water resistant layer secured to a building substrate, first and second building articles secured to the first water resistant layer and the building substrate such that sides of the building articles are positioned adjacent one another along an abutment line, and a second water resistant layer secured to portions of the first and second building articles along the abutment line to prevent liquid from traveling past the sides of the building articles to the first water resistant layer and the building substrate. In some embodiments, the building articles are fiber cement building articles. In some embodiments, the building articles include a plurality of integrally formed drainage channels and a plurality of spacer sections disposed between the drainage channels, each of the plurality of drainage channels defining an air gap comprising a liquid flow path.

Abstract: A building system including a first water resistant layer secured to a building substrate, first and second building articles secured to the first water resistant layer and the building substrate such that sides of the building articles are positioned adjacent one another along an abutment line, and a second water resistant layer secured to portions of the first and second building articles along the abutment line to prevent liquid from traveling past the sides of the building articles to the first water resistant layer and the building substrate. In some embodiments, the building articles are fiber cement building articles. In some embodiments, the building articles include a plurality of integrally formed drainage channels and a plurality of spacer sections disposed between the drainage channels, each of the plurality of drainage channels defining an air gap comprising a liquid flow path.

Abstract: A wall cladding panel comprising a substantially planar front face, a rear face comprising a plurality of drainage channels and a plurality of spacer sections disposed between the drainage channels, and an edge member disposed contiguously between the front face and the rear face. The wall cladding panel is locally thinner at the drainage channels than at the spacer sections. Each drainage channel is configured to form a liquid flow path and/or an air gap when a substantially planar building surface is placed adjacent to the rear face. A plurality of wall cladding panels with drainage channels may be arranged in series to cover at least a portion of a building.

Abstract: A wall cladding panel comprising a substantially planar front face, a rear face comprising a plurality of drainage channels and a plurality of spacer sections disposed between the drainage channels, and an edge member disposed contiguously between the front face and the rear face. The wall cladding panel is locally thinner at the drainage channels than at the spacer sections. Each drainage channel is configured to form a liquid flow path and/or an air gap when a substantially planar building surface is placed adjacent to the rear face. A plurality of wall cladding panels with drainage channels may be arranged in series to cover at least a portion of a building.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fiber reinforced cementitious composition comprising a cementitious binder and at least one synthetic inorganic reinforcing fiber type, wherein the synthetic inorganic reinforcing fiber type comprises at least one of a man-made mineral fiber type such as basalt fibers, an aluminosilicate wool fiber type or an alkaline earth silicate wool fiber type.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fiber reinforced cementitious composition comprising a cementitious binder and at least one synthetic inorganic reinforcing fiber type, wherein the synthetic inorganic reinforcing fiber type comprises at least one of a man-made mineral fiber type such as basalt fibers, an aluminosilicate wool fiber type or an alkaline earth silicate wool fiber type.