Addressing the Difficulties and Opportunities to Bridge the Integration Gaps of Bio-Based Insulation Materials in the European Construction Sector: A Systematic Literature Review

Salima Zerari, Rossella Franchino, Nicola Pisacane, Carmen Llatas and Bernardette Soust-Verdaguer ()
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Salima Zerari: Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa, Italy
Rossella Franchino: Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa, Italy
Nicola Pisacane: Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa, Italy
Carmen Llatas: Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Reina Mercedes Avenue 2, 41012 Seville, Spain
Bernardette Soust-Verdaguer: Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Reina Mercedes Avenue 2, 41012 Seville, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: Bio-based insulation materials (BbIMs) represent a potential alternative to conventional insulations, with their characteristics that favor a negative-carbon built environment. However, their use may face challenges that could prevent them from being used on a large scale in certain countries. The current study aims to provide focused insights into the practical difficulties and market opportunities for the application of BbIMs in Europe through a systematic literature review (SLR). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used as the basis for the conduct and reporting of this review. A keyword search was performed in Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases to select peer-reviewed English-language articles. HubMeta web tool was used to organize the selection process. The quantitative visualization of the literature was made by the Bibliometrix R package V4.1.4. Data were manually extracted and clustered in an Excel sheet. The review included 28 studies that have revealed interrelated insights. Difficulties range from regulatory and policy limitations and variability in performance, such as microbial growth and inconsistency in the behavior of materials under different conditions, to cost barriers. However, there are promising opportunities, including policy incentives and material performance benefits such as improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality. This research contributes to the literature by providing focused insights into the practical difficulties and market opportunities for the application of BbIMs in Europe. Research gaps and future perspectives point to the need for more field validation experiments, exploration of alternative production processes, and expanding life cycle assessment scopes to optimize their integration and performance. Stakeholder perceptions were conducted with a small sample in some countries, so insights from stakeholders are needed to confirm or correct current findings.

Keywords: European buildings stock; bio-based materials; thermal insulation; bioeconomy; barriers and drivers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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