Organized Framework of Main Possible Applications of Sheep Wool Fibers in Building Components

Monica C.M. Parlato and Simona M.C. Porto
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Monica C.M. Parlato: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Building and Land Engineering Section, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Simona M.C. Porto: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Building and Land Engineering Section, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Greasy sheep wool is currently considered a special waste for its high bacterial load, with expensive disposal costs for sheep breeders. For this reason, wool is often burned or buried, with serious consequences for the environment. On the other hand, sheep wool is well regarded as one of the most performative insulating natural fibers due to its thermo-hygrometric and acoustic properties. In the building sector, sheep wool meets the requirements of green building components because it is an eco-friendly material, there is a surplus of it, it is annually renewable, and totally recyclable. If used instead of common insulation materials (e.g., fiberglass, rock wool, polyurethane foam, polystyrene), sheep wool offers significant benefits for sustainability such as a reduction in the production costs for new insulating materials and in environmental pollution. Mechanical and physical properties of sheep wool investigated in previous studies were assessed and discussed with the aim of providing an organized framework of possible applications of wool fibers in building components. This paper highlights in detail aspects that have not yet been investigated enough to detect new potential uses of sheep wool fibers in rural buildings and the reuse of traditional ones.

Keywords: agricultural waste management; natural fibers; environmental sustainability; thermal-acoustic insulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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