The construction sector is a major source of pollution (UNEP, 2024), highlighting an urgent need to reduce energy use and emissions in buildings. Improved insulation is crucial for addressing this issue, as it enhances the energy efficiency and also the health and well-being of residents (Zerari et al., 2023). With renewable insulation materials comprising only 2% of the EU market (Pavel & Blagoeva, 2018), there is a clear need for more sustainable and healthier options.
In this ongoing research, we explore the potential of forest industry residues as raw material for insulation manufacturing. In this study, sawdust and pressurized hot water extracted (PHWE) sawdust residues were examined for their usage in insulation panels. Through PHWE, hemicelluloses can be regenerated for value-added products (Muilu-Mäkelä et al., 2024), and the remaining solid residues can be utilized in long-life construction materials. We study the benefits of these sawdust grades and seek possibilities for new value chains between project partners.
We apply traditional high-temperature thermomechanical pulping (HT-TMP) to modify sawdust further, producing flexible wood fibers that are used in foam-laid forming to create lightweight panels suitable for insulation applications. Compared to the traditional water-laid process, foam as a flowing medium enhances the formation of fiber webs and saves process water (Kinnunen-Raudaskoski, 2017; Lehmonen et al., 2020). In this production process, no drying of raw material is needed until the final panel is formed.
Keywords: foam-forming, sawdust, insulation
Authors
Elina Kettunen
University of Helsinki, Finland
Marta Cortina Escribano
Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finland
Jani Lehmonen
Fiberwood Oy, Finland
Veikko Möttönen
Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finland
Qi Nie
Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Dmitry Tarasov
Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Henri Vanhanen
Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finland
Juha Vinha
Tampere University, Finland
Chunlin Xu
Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Tuula Jyske
University of Helsinki, Finland
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