The bioeconomy is a hot topic these days, right up at the top of policy agendas. It involves using renewable natural resources as a raw material. The circular bioeconomy introduces circularity into this concept: using what would otherwise be thrown away, using spent biological resources to regenerate ecosystems and minimising waste.

The ECESP website has a good selection of circular bioeconomy-themed content. This series will shine a spotlight on it.

Circular bioeconomy concept: insulation made from straw

Prespaglia: Modular straw-based insulation

Insulating your house is definitely required these days, and biosourced insulation is great for coping with heat. Prespaglia offers a line of modular blocks of pressed straw for the construction sector. Four different types of blocks are proposed so far, and they are quick and easy to assemble.

The circular aspect is clear: straw is an agricultural waste product. It is usually used as animal bedding so processing it instead into a high value product such as insulation is a step forward.

The modular eco-blocks are made of straw, clay and pozzolan lime, making them entirely recyclable and biodegradable. They offer high levels of thermal-acoustic insulation and resistance to fire.

Advantages of using straw-based modular eco-blocks:

• zero CO₂ emissions (cold production system);
• energy consumption which is one third less than traditional solutions due to the good thermal characteristics that reduce heat dispersion;
• sound insulation above 50 decibels thanks to the mixture with clay;
• good anti-seismic solution (lightness and flexibility of the material);
• drastic reduction in labour (by 60-70%) and production costs.