Analysis of the Possible Use of Straw from Agriculture as an Environmental Insulation Material in Buildings

Jitka Peterková (), Azra Korjenic, Jiří Zach, Jiří Bydžovský, Simona Halásová and Eldira Sesto
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Jitka Peterková: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Components, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Azra Korjenic: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Materials Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, Austria
Jiří Zach: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Components, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Jiří Bydžovský: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Components, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Simona Halásová: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Components, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Eldira Sesto: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Materials Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, Austria

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Straw has been used as a building material since time immemorial and has been considered as a waste product from the agricultural sector, usually used for feed, bedding, or fertilization. Nowadays, the construction industry strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is focusing on renewable materials; hence, straw seems to be an attractive, low-energy option. Straw bales or blown insulation are common uses, with limited detailed knowledge regarding the properties of different straw types. Straw is made up of the dry stems of crops. Straw’s chemical composition will differ with different crops and can have a great impact on its effectiveness. As a renewable material, straw also has the potential to be used in buildings, enhancing thermal insulation and reducing environmental impacts. This study considers four kinds of straw: barley, oats, oilseed rape, and triticale, regarding their possible usage in insulation materials. The thermal conductivity, bulk density, and dust generation of each type were tested in the laboratory. Among them, the best performance was shown by the barley straw treated with mechanical pulping using a knife mill at 4000 rpm for 60 s, which showed the lowest bulk density and thermal conductivity and generated the least dust. It is thus proven to be an environmental insulation material with significant implications for sustainable construction and energy-efficient building design, further helping in maintaining environmental sustainability in building construction.

Keywords: green insulation material; straw; ecological material; low energy production; agriculture waste; recycling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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