HILO — Could basalt — the volcanic rock that makes up the ground beneath our feet — become the building blocks for a new industry in the state?
The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, a state-funded aerospace agency in Hilo, thinks so and has been making the case for at least the past year that Hawaii could produce its own basalt fiber.
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is backing a market feasibility study to see if that could become a reality, with funding secured last legislative session by Rep. Mark Nakashima. The department recently issued a request for proposals to organizations who could conduct the research.
Proposals are due Jan. 22, and PISCES Program Director Rodrigo Romo said a report could be done by mid-2018.
Basalt fiber can be used to make structural mesh, durable fabric, insulation and rebar and to reinforce concrete, in addition to other applications, according to DBEDT.
The industry is valued at $100 million globally and is located mostly in Eastern Europe, Rodrigo said.
PISCES is interested in it because there is similar volcanic rock on the moon and Mars, meaning basalt fiber could play a role in future space missions. It’s also part of the agency’s mission to support economic development in the state.
“The advantage for Hawaii is we have basalt all over the place,” Rodrigo said. “That’s what we’re made of.”
He said the study will help determine how much basalt fiber production would cost and whether it could be profitable.
The manufacturing process involves melting basalt and turning it into a “continuous filament that is weaved into a fiber,” Rodrigo said.
“There’s really no chemicals, no waste,” he said. “It’s a fairly clean process.”
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
