Bio-based Insulation Research Articles

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

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. Stakeholders’ perceptions were made with a small sample in certain countries. Stakeholder perceptions were conducted with a small sample in some countries, so insights from stakeholders are needed to confirm or correct current findings.

Development of a multifunctional bio-based insulation material with corncob and silica aerogel

Bio-based insulation materials with superior comprehensive properties are crucial to building energy conservation. This study aims to develop a multifunctional bio-based insulation material that integrates good insulation, mechanical strength, and waterproofing. In this work, using corncob as the raw material, foamed geopolymer as the binder, silica aerogel and silicone oil as additives, a novel bio-based insulation material was prepared. Moreover, the effect of corncob size, silica aerogel content and silicone oil content on the microstructure, density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, water absorption, moisture absorption and water contact angle properties were discussed. The results showed that, a desirable bio-based insulation material with a corncob size of 20 mesh, silica aerogel/geopolymer mass ratio (A/G) being 1.71 %, silica aerogel/ silicone oil mass ratio (A/O) being 0.2, is recommended, of which the thermal conductivity is 0.111 W/(m.K) with the compressive strength being 2.2 MPa, the density being 350 kg/m3, the water absorption being 7.1 %, the moisture absorption being 9.4 % and the water contact angle being 133°. With a simple preparation process, low cost and low energy consumption, this bio-based insulation material has good application prospects in buildings. Meanwhile, the preparation method of bio-based insulation materials proposed in this study provides new ideas for the development of multifunctional insulation materials in the future.

Efficient Bio-Based Insulation Panels Produced from Eucalyptus Bark Waste

Traditional thermal insulation panels consume large amounts of energy during production and emits pollutants into the environment. To mitigate this impact, the development of bio-based materials is an attractive alternative. In this context, the characteristics of the Eucalyptus fiber bark (EGFB) make it a candidate for insulation applications. However, more knowledge about the manufacturing process and in-service performance is needed. The present study characterized the properties that determine the in-service behavior of the EGFB insulation panel. The assessment involved two different manufacturing processes. The results indicated that the hot plates and the saturated steam injection manufacturing system can produce panels with similar target and bulk density. The thermal conductivity fluctuated between 0.064 and 0.077 W/m·K, which indicated good insulation, and the values obtained for thermal diffusivity (0.10–0.37 m mm2/s) and water vapor permeability (0.032–0.055 m kg/GN s) are comparable with other commercially available panels. To guarantee a good in-service performance, the panels need to be treated with flame retardant and antifungal additive. The good performance of the panel is relevant because bio-based Eucalyptus bark panels generate less CO2 eq and require less energy consumption compared to traditional alternatives, contributing to the sustainability of the forestry and the construction industry.

Hygrothermal assessment of three bio-based insulation systems for internal retrofitting solid masonry walls

The present project investigated the hygrothermal performance and risk of mould growth in solid masonry walls retrofitted internally with three diffusion-open bio-based insulation materials (two loose-fill cellulose and one hemp fibre), installed in test containers with controlled indoor climate. Focus was on bio-based insulation materials, as these are upcoming due to necessary CO2 reductions and because the hygroscopic properties of bio-based materials are different from traditional insulation materials like mineral wool therefore, some manufacturers claim a vapour barrier is unnecessary, even in relatively cold climates. The project was a large experimental study in two reefer containers with reconfigured facades, in which solid masonry walls with embedded wooden elements were constructed. The study focused on the conditions in the masonry/insulation interface and in the embedded wooden elements. The effect of hydrophobization and different indoor moisture loads were also investigated. Moreover, the bio-based insulation systems were compared with a wall insulated with the traditional mineral wool and vapour barrier system. Relative humidity and temperature were measured at several locations in the test walls for 1 year and 9 months. Measurements show that exposed masonry walls retrofitted internally with diffusion-open bio-based insulation materials resulted in unacceptably high moisture levels (>80% RH over longer periods). Lower moisture levels were observed when the internal insulation was combined with hydrophobization against wind-driven rain, but unacceptably high moisture levels still occurred (60%–70% in summer and 95%–100% in winter in the interface). Hydrophobization reduced the moisture levels in the interface and embedded wooden elements only in walls facing southwest, which is the direction with the most wind-driven rain. Mould growth tests showed no growth in the interface in walls insulated with cellulose insulation (mycometer surface value <25). Meanwhile growth was found in all four walls insulated with hemp fibre matts (mycometer surface value >400).

Mycelium-wood composites as a circular material for building insulation

In Europe, buildings account for 40% of the energy consumption and produce 36% of CO2 emissions. Renovation could be a great tool to decarbonize the building stock since it allows for a decrease in the operational energy required for buildings and is less material-consuming than new construction. Further benefits are brought by the usage of bio-based insulation materials that can drastically reduce embodied emissions and transform structures into factual carbon sinks. This study focuses on a particular kind of biogenic material, mycelium-wood composites, consisting of organic matter bound by the root structure of fungal organisms. This innovative insulation material was compared with traditional ones for the renovation of the building stock, with a focus on vertical components like walls in the Helsinki metropolitan area. To characterize mycelium-wood composites, density and carbon content information were gathered from the samples realized in the Politecnico di Milano MaBa.SAPERLab, while the production processes were included in a SimaPro model to obtain the GWP value. Different scenarios were then defined by two variables: the renovation rate of the building stock and the market penetration of mycelium-wood composites. For each scenario, the overall GWP and CO2 stored values were calculated. Results show the great potential of the innovative material that grants carbon storage in the building stock that could even surpass the amount stored in the 32,500 ha of forest in the area. However, this possibility is heavily influenced by factors independent of the type of insulation used that should be further investigated.

Hygrothermal Performance of Wooden Structures in Combination with Bio-Based Insulation in Future Climates in Belgium

In Europe, 40% of the total energy requirements relates to the energy consumption in the construction sector. The awareness resulted in the use of bio-based materials thanks to their small carbon footprint (Zhao et al. 2017). The aim of this study is twofold. The first objective is to gain a better understanding of the durability of traditional insulation materials such as mineral wool and PUR versus bio-based insulation (cellulose) in timber frame constructions and CLT constructions. The second objective is to evaluate to which extent this durability depends on various levels of climate change impact we might face based on the future greenhouse gas concentrations. This study uses the Mould Index as an indicator for possible degradation of the insulation layer. The mould Index is calculated using temperature and relative humidity derived from HAM simulations in Delphin 6.1.4. These simulations are done for different wall assemblies and different climate scenarios for Brussels. The results show that climate change has a negative effect on the durability of the outer part of the insulation material and that this effect is higher for cellulose than for mineral wool in timber frame construction.

Artificial Intelligence Approach for Bio-Based Materials’ Characterization and Explanation

This paper introduces a numerical methodology for classifying and identifying types of bio-based materials through experimental thermal characterization. In contrast to prevailing approaches that primarily focus on thermal conductivity, our characterization methodology encompasses several thermal parameters. In this paper, the physical characteristics of seven types of bio-based concrete were analyzed, focusing on the thermal properties of palm- and esparto-fiber-reinforced concrete. The proposed method uses artificial intelligence techniques, specifically the k-means clustering approach, to segregate data into homogeneous groups with shared thermal characteristics. This enables the elucidation of insights and recommendations regarding the utilization of bio-based insulation in building applications. The results show that the k-means algorithm is able to efficiently classify the reference concrete (RC) with a performance of up to 71%. Additionally, the technique is more accurate when retaining only six centroids, which, among other things, allows all the characteristics associated with each type of concrete to be grouped and identified. Indeed, whether for k clusters k = 7 or k = 5, the technique was not able to predict the typical characteristics of 2% or 3% esparto concrete (EC).

Sustainable building practices: From construction to maintenance

This comprehensive study explores the integration of sustainable practices throughout the various phases of a buildings lifecycle, including construction, operation, and maintenance. It emphasizes the pivotal role of material selection, construction techniques, renewable energy integration, energy management systems, retrofitting, water conservation technologies, predictive maintenance, and efficiency monitoring in minimizing environmental impact while enhancing efficiency. Advanced materials such as high-performance concrete and bio-based insulation, alongside innovative construction methods like modular and prefabricated components, are highlighted for their potential to significantly reduce carbon footprints and energy consumption. The study further investigates the adoption of renewable energy systems, demonstrating their efficacy in achieving energy self-sufficiency. Through the operational phase, it underscores the importance of sophisticated Energy Management Systems (EMS) and retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient technologies. Additionally, it delves into the incorporation of water conservation technologies, which substantially decrease water usage and associated energy demands. The maintenance phase is discussed with a focus on predictive maintenance using IoT sensors and AI, alongside the use of sustainable materials for repairs. Quantitative analyses throughout the study illustrate potential reductions in energy consumption, carbon emissions, and water usage, underscoring the critical role of these practices in promoting sustainability in the construction industry. This study aims to provide a holistic view of sustainable building practices, offering valuable insights and methodologies for industry professionals and stakeholders.

Characteristics of Insulating Panels Realised from Coconut Palm Fibres for Low-Temperature Thermal Insulation

In recent years, there has been growing interest in issues relating to pollution and energy consumption, and the resulting regulations have led the construction sector to focus on thermal insulation. The application of bio-based insulation materials can help to minimise the environmental impact of buildings by reducing energy demand both during construction and over the lifetime of the building. Agroforestry biomass plays an interesting role, as its use can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this work is to produce insulating panels from agroforestry by-products for low-temperature thermal insulation applications. The insulating panels in this study are produced from coconut palm fibres and their thermophysical properties are determined. They were produced using a human-motricity press and the temperature rise was controlled using the hot-tape method. Characteristics such as calorific value and modelling of temperature rise as a function of time to calculate thermal conductivity, thermal effusivity and diffusivity were determined. The calorific value varies from 3668.0 to 4135.0 and from 3742.0 to 4186.0 cal.g-1 when the moisture content is 11.28 and 10.61%, respectively. The thermal conductivity, effusivity and thermal diffusivity are 0.4 W.m-1.K-1, 760.30 J.m-2.°C-1.s-1/2 and 2.73.10-7 m.s-1, respectively. In view of these results, coconut fibre represents a potential precursor to produce insulating panels.

Impact of Insulation using Bio-sourced Materials on the Thermal and Energy Performance of a Typical Residential Building in Morocco

Among the measures to be taken to design and construct buildings with envelopes that are more energy-efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly is thermal insulation using a very wide range of insulating materials, either synthetic or of natural origin or derived from biomass. The present work represents a thermal and energy study aimed at improving the thermal comfort levels and energy requirements of a typical residential building located in the city of Al-Hoceima, Morocco. To this end, a series of numerical simulations were carried out using TRNSYS software to assess the impact of applying three bio-based insulation materials, namely hemp wool, wood fiber, and expanded cork, in the wall layer of the building. Different insulation scenarios were studied to make a choice that would ensure optimum comfort in the building with low energy demand. The results of this study show that insulating the roof with 8 cm of hemp wool contributes to energy savings of up to 36.7% and 35.2% for cooling and heating demand respectively. In thermal terms, improvements in the temperature inside the building have been achieved: in January, the maximum temperature recorded is 20.94°C, while in July, the maximum temperature is around 26.80°C.

Hygrothermal Properties and Performance of Bio-Based Insulation Materials Locally Sourced in Sweden.

In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the building sector towards more sustainable, resource efficient, and renewable materials. Bio-based insulation derived from renewable resources, such as plant or animal fibres, is one promising group of such materials. Compared to mineral wool and polystyrene-based insulation materials, these bio-based insulation materials generally have a slightly higher thermal conductivity, and they are significantly more hygroscopic, two factors that need to be considered when using these bio-based insulation materials. This study assesses the hygrothermal properties of three bio-based insulation materials: eelgrass, grass, and wood fibre. All three have the potential to be locally sourced in Sweden. Mineral wool (stone wool) was used as a reference material. Hygrothermal material properties were measured with dynamic vapour sorption (DVS), transient plane source (TPS), and sorption calorimetry. Moisture buffering of the insulation materials was assessed, and their thermal insulation capacity was tested on a building component level in a hot box that exposed the materials to a steady-state climate, simulating in-use conditions in, e.g., an external wall. The tested bio-based insulation materials have significantly different sorption properties to stone wool and have higher thermal conductivity than what the manufacturers declared. The hot-box experiments showed that the insulating capacity of the bio-based insulators cannot be reliably calculated from the measured thermal conductivity alone. The results of this study could be used as input data for numerical simulations and analyses of the thermal and hygroscopic behaviour of these bio-based insulation materials.

Innovative Materials and Techniques for Sustainable Building Structures

The construction industry faces a growing challenge to meet the demands for sustainable buildings. This research paper explores innovative materials and techniques that are revolutionizing the way we design and construct structures. The focus is on minimizing environmental impact, reducing energy consumption, and promoting resource efficiency throughout a building's life cycle the paper examines promising materials like bio-based insulation, carbon-storing concrete, and recycled content composites. It explores advanced technologies such as 3D-printed buildings and smart glass facades that contribute to energy savings and improved building performance. Additionally, sustainable construction techniques like passive design, prefabrication, and rainwater harvesting are discussed. This research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in sustainable building practices. By analyzing the benefits and potential drawbacks of these innovative materials and techniques, the paper paves the way for a more sustainable future for the construction industry. Keywords: Sustainable Building, Innovative Materials, Bio-based Materials, Energy Efficiency, Resource Efficiency, 3D Printing, Smart Glass, Passive Design, Prefabrication, Rainwater Harvesting.

Strategies for robust renovation of residential buildings in Switzerland

Building renovation is urgently required to reduce the environmental impact associated with the building stock. Typically, building renovation is performed by envelope insulation and/or changing the fossil-based heating system. The goal of this paper is to provide strategies for robust renovation considering uncertainties on the future evolution of climate, energy grid, and user behaviors, amongst others by applying life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis. The study includes identifying optimal renovation options for the envelope and heating systems for building representatives from all construction periods that are currently in need of renovation in Switzerland. The findings emphasize the paramount importance of heating system replacements across all construction periods. Notably, when incorporating bio-based insulation materials, a balance emerges between environmental impact reduction and low energy operation costs. This facilitates robust, equitable, and low-carbon transformations in Switzerland and similar Northern European contexts while avoiding a carbon spike due to the embodied carbon of the renovation.

Exploring the integration of bio-based thermal insulations in compressed earth blocks walls

The growing concern about the environmental impact of contemporary construction has posed emphasis on the possibilities offered by bio-based and raw earth construction. The front challenge for the establishment of earth-based technologies in contemporary building markets is the guarantee of high structural and energy performances, while maintaining a low environmental impact. This work focuses on the performance analysis of compressed earth blocks (from now on CEBs) which are currently commercialized for the construction of massive vertical envelopes, with high thermal inertia. However, to obtain an acceptable comfort and an optimized thermal behavior, CEBs walls must also reach a high thermal resistance. This issue can be overcame by the design of insulated CEB stratigraphies using bio-based thermal insulations presenting hygrothermal properties compatible with raw earth-based materials. In this way, the thermal performance of CEBs walls can be increased, while preserving their hygroscopic behavior. In this spirit, this work reports the results of the experimental characterization of three materials: CEB, lime hemp and sugarcane bagasse bio-based insulation panels. It includes their composition, their main physical (dry density, porosity, capillary water absorption), thermal (specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity) and hygrometric (sorption isotherm, water vapor permeability) properties. Finally, these experimental data are used for the implementation of several numerical simulations at a wall scale in a reference climate to estimate the hygrothermal performances of both uninsulated and bio-insulated CEB walls. The simulations allow for a better comprehension of CEBs’ behavior in view of their combination with the chosen bio-based thermal insulations, and give insights into possible moisture-related issues as mold growth or increase of U-value.

Characterization and Thermal Evaluation of a Novel Bio-Based Natural Insulation Material from Posidonia oceanica Waste: A Sustainable Solution for Building Insulation in Algeria

Natural bio-based insulation materials have been the most interesting products for good performance and low carbon emissions, becoming widely recognized for their sustainability in the context of climate change and the environmental impact of the building industry. The main objective of this study is to characterize a new bio-sourced insulation material composed of fibers and an adhesive based on cornstarch. This innovative material is developed from waste of the marine plant called Posidonia oceanica (PO), abundantly found along the Algerian coastline. The research aims to valorize this PO waste by using it as raw material to create this novel material. Four samples with different volumetric adhesive fractions (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) were prepared and tested. The collected fractions underwent a series of characterizations to evaluate their properties. The key characteristics studied include density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat. The results obtained for the thermal conductivity of the different composites range between 0.052 and 0.067 W.m−1.K−1. In addition, the findings for thermal diffusivity and specific heat are similar to those reported in the scientific literature. However, the capillary absorption of the material is slightly lower, which indicates that the developed bio-sourced material exhibits interesting thermal performance, justifying its suitability for use in building insulation in Algeria.

Experimental Analysis of Moisture-Dependent Thermal Conductivity, and Hygric Properties of Novel Hemp-shive Insulations with Numerical Assessment of Their In-Built Hygrothermal and Energy Performance.

The use of lime as a binder in hemp-lime considerably increases the drying time of hemp-lime after casting. Furthermore, lime is a non-renewable mineral resource. As such, this paper explores the effectiveness of using an alternative non-mineral binder instead of lime to formulate a novel hemp-shive insulation. The moisture-dependent thermal conductivity, adsorption isotherm, vapour diffusion resistance factor, and in-built hygrothermal performance of four variants of a novel bio-based insulation were investigated. The hygrothermal performance of the novel hemp-shive insulation was compared with that of a previously developed novel hemp-lime insulation. No significant variation in thermal conductivity of hemp-shive insulations between the equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) at 0% and 50% relative humidity (RH) was observed, but there was a substantial increase in thermal conductivity hemp-shive insulations when the material reached the EMC at 98% RH. The average dry thermal conductivity values of hemp-shive and hemp-lime insulations were also similar. The adsorption isotherms of hemp-shive insulations were determined at 0%, 20%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and 98% relative humidity steps. At 98% RH, the moisture adsorption capacity of hemp-shive insulations was 4-to-5-times higher than that of hemp-lime insulation. Hemp-shive insulations' vapour diffusion resistance factor (µ value) was about double the µ value of hemp-lime insulation. Hemp-shive insulations exhibited 4-to-5-times higher water absorption resistance than that of hemp-lime insulation. Numerically determined porosity values of hemp-shive agree with the values of wood-based insulation materials of similar density. Finally, using all experimentally acquired data as inputs, dynamic whole-building hygrothermal simulations were carried out and the results show that novel hemp-shive insulation materials perform at a similar level to the hemp-lime insulation in terms of heating and cooling energy demand but require 45% less energy for humidification. However, the relative humidity inside the hemp-shive wall remains higher than 70%, which can potentially induce mould growth.

Thermally Future-Proofing Existing Libyan Housing Stock with Biobased Insulation Materials and Passive Measures: An Empirical and Numerical Study Using a Digital Twin

Thermal refurbishment and retrofitting building envelopes with passive measures such as the optimisation of opaque and transparent fabric performance may play a key role in reducing cooling and heating load and promoting building energy efficiency. Furthermore, to reduce the embodied carbon impact of the building, the refurbishment measures need to consider the use of low-carbon building materials. This paper investigates ways to thermally future-proof typical Libyan houses using biobased materials. Several typical Libyan houses were monitored for one year to investigate the heating and cooling energy use and to thermally retrofit the building envelope. A digital twin was created in the DesignBuilder software using the real building data of one building for digital model calibration. Finally, multi-objective optimisation was carried out with low-impact biobased materials for insulation, including camel hair, sheep wool, and date palm fibre as well as using other optimisation variables such as shading and glazing types. The study reveals that thermally upgrading the building roof and wall with insulation materials and upgrading the windows with energy-efficient glazing and local shadings can achieve a reduction in cooling load from 53.51 kWh/m2/y to 40.8 kWh/m2/y. Furthermore, the heating load reduces from 19.4 kW/m2/y to 15 kW/m2/y without compromising the standard annual discomfort hours.

Acoustic prediction and testing for "Basajaun" EU Project demo building using neural network, prediction for innovative wooden partition wall with composites and bio-based insulation

"Basajaun" is a major European innovation action about sustainable building with wood. The main objective is to demonstrate how wood construction chains can be optimized to foster both rural development and urban transformation whilst being connected with sustainable forest management in Europe. The project scrolls the full value chain of wood construction in Europe, and it include a demo project in south of France demonstrating implementation of various innovations, among which the studied innovative facade made of pultruded composites, structural insulated panels (SIP) plywood, wooden cladding and bio-based insulation. In building projects, partition walls are commonly designed for mechanical stability, thermal insulation and fire safety, in this article authors focus on acoustic aspects starting from design, optimization, lab testing, implementation specifications and in situ validation. For the design and optimization phase, authors developed prediction tool based on Artificial Intelligence. Programming and data feeding of the tool is described, and predictions are compared to laboratory measurements.

Innovative Thermal Renders Incorporating Oyster Shells for Sustainable Insulation

In accordance with current sustainable development objectives, it is intended to implement innovative and sustainable solutions at economic, environmental, and functional levels, boosting the construction sector to increasingly contribute to society. Expanded cork is an alternative to sand aggregate in improving the thermal insulating properties of renders. In addition, other materials can be incorporated as aggregates in an attempt to contribute to both the improvement of the physical characteristics that the render must fulfil as well as the improvement of thermal behaviour (if possible). In this sense, bio-based materials generated by the aquaculture sector, such as oyster shells, can contribute as a bio-based insulation material for thermal renders. In this study, thermal natural hydraulic lime mortars were produced from a mixture of expanded cork (EC) insulating aggregate and oyster shells (OSs). The percentages of replacing EC by OSs were 20, 30, 40, and 50%. The tests were carried out in fresh and hardened states. The studied mortars presented a thermal conductivity and compressive strength of 0.151 W/(m·K) and 0.63 MPa, respectively. The most interesting performance between thermal conductivity and compressive strength was for the composite with 50% of each bio-based material. The potential of incorporating oyster shells as a bio-based insulation material could contribute to a sustainable blue circular economy.

Multi-property characterization of an experimental material composed of Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium and ash wood chips compared with glass wool and hemp wool

Biomaterials have a lot of potential for the construction industry because of their small environmental footprint and their regenerative capacity. Hemp is currently used as an insulation material in construction. The uniqueness properties of mushroom mycelium allow it to be used as a plant fiber binder in the design of bio-based insulation boards with white ash chips as aggregates. The goal of the present study is to design an organic material that will be 100 % compostable at the end of its useful life while being biologically inactive. The material is composed of the mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible fungus, grown on rye grains and white ash chips. The objectives are to develop an experimental protocol for the culture of the material and to characterize it in comparison to glass wool and hemp wool, which are two proven insulators. Once the desired shape is obtained, the mycelium is inactivated by heat. The compressive strength, the conductivity, the thermal effusivity, the volume and the density, the thermal mass capacity and the acoustic properties were measured. The stress resistance was found to be up to 1330 times higher for the experimental material (Medium mycelium) than for glass wool; the thermal conductivity was between 0.0313 and 0.0379 W/(mK) for all materials; the porosity was greater than 75 % for all materials and the α coefficient varied between 0.8 and 1 for sound absorption. Mycelium materials have properties that need to be studied in greater details.