1. Bio-based insulation materials could replace conventional materials in many cases without loss of thermal performance. It’s a fact.
   The heat insulation performance of bio-based insulation materials can compete with mineral or fossil based materials, such as rock wool, glass wool and polystyrene. The technical performance of several renewable insulation materials, such as cellulose and fibres from hemp, flax, kenaf and cotton, is comparable to that of the mineral benchmarks.
   Important is also the ability of an insulation material to store heat and to release it to a cooler environment. This indicator is called specific heat capacity. Natural insulation materials can be superior to traditional fossil or mineral based materials when it comes to heat buffering, because the specific heat capacity of natural insulation materials is higher than that of fossil or mineral based ones. This can be helpful to create a more comfortable indoor climate and to prevent overheating of rooms that sit below the roof in the summer.
2. Bio-based insulation materials contribute to a pleasant and healthy indoor climate. It’s a fact.
   Insulation measures have caused the relative air humidity in many houses to be high, which can lead to growth of moulds. This is where bio-based materials can help. Scientific research has shown that most natural insulation materials can accumulate and conduct moisture. This moisture-regulating effect contributes to a balanced indoor climate throughout the year. This is especially important for people with respiratory diseases, asthma, atopic dermatitis, for which constant indoor humidity is very important.
   Sheep wool has an especially positive effect as it can absorb and neutralize a large variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can contribute to a sick building syndrome. It acts as a passive air purifier.
3. Bio-Based insulating materials cause mould problems. It’s a myth.
   Mould occurs in buildings whenever humidity cannot escape or humid air meets a cold surface. The type of surface plays only a minor role. If properly installed, bio-based insulating materials do not pose a higher risk of mould formation than traditional insulation materials.
   In fact, bio-based insulation materials have a good moisture-regulating effect. They can accumulate moisture up to one third of their weight and then release it again, which ensures a pleasant and healthy indoor climate.
4. Bio-based insulation materials are not really sustainable. It’s a myth.
   Natural insulating materials are ecologically high-quality products. Bio-based insulation contributes to energy saving and climate protection in three ways:
   Firstly, renewable resources have the advantage of requiring much less energy than conventional building materials such as mineral wool and fossil-based materials to be produced. They typically have much lower “embodied energy” levels.
   Secondly, natural insulation materials bind CO₂ during the growth phase. Many natural insulating materials come from regional agriculture and forestry or can be obtained here in the future when demand increases. This means short transport distances, less import dependency and opportunities for rural areas. For many materials there is no conflict of use for other purposes.
   Thirdly, using natural insulation reduces CO₂ emissions through thermal insulation during the lifetime of buildings.
   The picture is differentiated when it comes to disposing of bio-based insulation materials. Some materials can be reused (cellulose flakes, seagrass), some can be recycled (hemp mats, sheep wool). In theory, a lot of these materials could be composted, but composting facilities are reluctant to accept them. Therefore, in most case bio-based insulation materials will be incinerated.
5. Bio-based materials are not durable. It’s a myth.
   Research shows that natural insulating materials are as durable as conventional materials. The Münster Chamber of Crafts can prove this in a long-term test based on the natural insulating materials installed in the “Construction and Energy” demonstration centre since 2004. Insulation materials made of flax, hemp, cellulose, wood shavings and wood fibre insulation boards were installed in the Münster demonstration centre and equipped with sensors. The thermal conductivity of the materials remained almost constantly low over the entire monitoring period and the insulation materials used provide for a very good, lasting heat protection. Moisture measurements also showed that no condensation accumulated in any wall or ceiling construction.
6. Bio-based insulation materials increase the risk of fire. It’s a myth.
   Bio-based insulation materials do not pose an increased risk of fire if properly installed and used in accordance with fire protection regulation. Fire protection requirements can be met for a large number of construction projects through the application of certain fire retardants or cladding.
   In case of fire, bio-based insulation avoids extremely toxic fumes which cause much greater damage and mortal danger to those affected than the actual fire.
7. Bio-based insulation materials have good sound insulation properties that are comparable to those of standard materials. It’s a fact.
   Bio-based insulation materials effectively protect against noise from inside and outside your house. Their sound insulation properties are comparable to those of standard materials and they have been used successfully for this application. In particular, flax, hemp, cork, reeds, straw and cellulose as well as wood fibre insulation panels provide excellent sound insulation.

Photo credits: via Flickr

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12/06/2018