A Review of Natural Bio-Based Insulation Materials

Cosentino, Livia; Fernandes, Jorge Emanuel Pereira; Mateus, Ricardo

doi:10.3390/en16124676

Cited by 20 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 56 publications

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“…By doing so, we can minimise transportation's carbon footprint while also strengthening local economies. It is important to note that produced loose-fill insulating materials may have unique properties due to variations in local resources [76,77] and manufacturing techniques [78,79]. One target of this research is to present some differences, where similar products or identical raw materials used in conjunction with different technologies yield notably different results.…”

Section: Benefits and Challenges Of Loose-fill Insulation In Construc...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on Thermal Insulation Performance and Impact on Indoor Air Quality of Cellulose-Based Thermal Insulation Materials

et al. 2023

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Worldwide, the need for thermal insulation materials used to increase the energy performance of buildings and ensure indoor thermal comfort is constantly growing. There are several traditional, well-known and frequently used thermal insulation materials on the building materials market, but there is a growing trend towards innovative materials based on agro-industrial waste. This paper analyses the performance of 10 such innovative thermal insulation materials obtained by recycling cellulosic and/or animal waste, using standardised testing methods. More precisely, thermal insulation materials based on the following raw materials were analysed: cellulose acetate, cigarette filter manufacturing waste; cellulose acetate, cigarette filter manufacturing waste and cigarette paper waste; cellulose acetate, waste from cigarette filter manufacturing, waste cigarette paper and waste aluminised paper; cellulose from waste paper (two types made by two independent manufacturers); wood fibres; cellulose from cardboard waste; cellulose from waste cardboard, poor processing, inhomogeneous product; rice husk waste and composite based on sheep wool, recycled PET fibres and cellulosic fibres for the textile industry. The analysis followed the performance in terms of thermal insulating quality, evidenced by the thermal conductivity coefficient (used as a measurable indicator) determined for both dry and conditioned material at 50% RH, in several density variants, simulating the subsidence under its own weight or under various possible stresses arising in use. The results showed in most cases that an increase in material density has beneficial effects by reducing the coefficient of thermal conductivity, but exceptions were also reported. In conjunction with this parameter, the analysis of the 10 types of materials also looked at their moisture sorption/desorption capacity (using as a measurable indicator the amount of water stored by the material), concluding that, although they have a capacity to regulate the humidity of the indoor air, under low RH conditions the water loss is not complete, leaving a residual quantity of material that could favour the development of mould. Therefore, the impact on indoor air quality was also analysed by assessing the risk of mould growth (using as a measurable indicator the class and performance category of the material in terms of nutrient content conducive to the growth of microorganisms) under high humidity conditions but also the resistance to the action of two commonly encountered moulds, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum. The results showed a relative resistance to the action of microbiological factors, indicating however the need for intensified biocidal treatment.

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Section: Benefits and Challenges Of Loose-fill Insulation In Construc...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on Thermal Insulation Performance and Impact on Indoor Air Quality of Cellulose-Based Thermal Insulation Materials

et al. 2023

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Geo- and Bio-Based Materials as Circular Solutions Towards a Regenerative Built Environment

Fernandes,

Cosentino,

Mateus

2024

Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

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Global environmental awareness pushes the building sector to achieve carbon neutrality and find low embodied impact solutions. The European Union has set a 2050 goal and is regulating the whole carbon life cycle (embodied and operational) as part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). In this scope, low-tech geo-bio-based materials can have an important role in reducing the embodied environmental impacts and carbon in buildings. Due to their low processing production, these materials fit in a circular approach since they can be easily recycled or returned to the natural environment at a minimal environmental cost. However, the lack of quantitative data on the life cycle environmental performance of some non-conventional techniques can hinder their use since professionals cannot compare the benefits of such versus conventional practice and comply with future EPBD requirements. This paper aims to contribute to the topic by presenting results on the life cycle environmental performance of earthen materials and bio-based insulation products versus conventional solutions based on data from Environmental Product Declarations or studies following the EN15804 standard. The results show that earthen materials can reduce the potential environmental impacts by about 50% versus conventional mansory walls. At the same time, bio-based insulation solutions offer the advantage of lowering operational carbon emissions and stocking carbon (e.g. straw has a Global Warming Potential performance about three times better than Expanded Polystyrene). The benefits of using earthen and bio-based materials are also discussed for the different building life-cycle stages, focusing on the possibility of reusing/recycling these materials in a closed-loop approach.

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Organic wastes as a sustainable alternative to synthetic thermal insulating materials

Indwar,

Titiksh

2024

Environ Dev Sustain

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A Review of Natural Bio-Based Insulation Materials

Cited by 20 publications

References 56 publications

Research on Thermal Insulation Performance and Impact on Indoor Air Quality of Cellulose-Based Thermal Insulation Materials

Research on Thermal Insulation Performance and Impact on Indoor Air Quality of Cellulose-Based Thermal Insulation Materials

Geo- and Bio-Based Materials as Circular Solutions Towards a Regenerative Built Environment

Organic wastes as a sustainable alternative to synthetic thermal insulating materials

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