Linking energy efficiency and waste recovery to improve housing insulation and tackle energy poverty in south-central Chile

Given the environmental impact of the construction industry, sustainable solutions are increasingly needed to minimize the life cycle impacts of buildings by means of reusing renewable industrial waste. Abundant forest and farm waste exist in center-south Chile, with great potential to be used as thermal insulation and, thus, improve the livability of houses located in an area facing air pollution and energy poverty issues. This paper discusses two types of insulation produced and tested jointly with Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI)– using Chilean agroforestry waste: First, a flakeboard made of wood veneer chips; and second, a flexible substrate and a pressure resistant board made of wheat and oat straw. The main goal of this research is to assess, by means of digital modeling and experimental tests, the thermal characteristics and the resistance to humidity of these new insulation materials and their performance within construction solutions usually used in Chile. The benchmarks used were the most demanding national residential energy efficiency standard implemented to address air pollution and energy poverty, and the most demanding international standard, both for walls and roofing. The results of both insulation materials was promising, as they met the thermal performance and resistance to humidity requirements and show technical feasibility for the insulation market; in addition, they share the potential to be used in different types of buildings and construction solutions both in Chile and abroad, promoting a sustainable approach starting from the raw materials and the manufacturing process, through the buildings’ operations.