Context
Increasing concerns for the environment highlight the importance of low-carbon construction, and insulation materials play a key role in this. As a result, the market is searching for alternatives to current insulation materials by using bio-based materials. Renewable and/or bio-based resources usually require less energy than traditional insulation materials such as mineral wool or fossil-based materials like foams (EPS, XPS, PUR).
The main challenge is to obtain high-performing, low-carbon materials.
Some bio-based insulation materials are already well known on the market, such as cellulose, wood fibers, and fibers from hemp, flax, and cotton. However, some of these products use hazardous chemicals (binders, additives, fire retardants) that can be dangerous during the production process or limit the recyclability or biodegradability potential of these materials.
This current project aims to identify high-performing insulation solutions with a better Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) than current commercial materials. The raw materials could for example be bio-based or recycled.
