Development of Organic and Biodegradable Insulating Material for ETICS

When developing new insulating materials, there is, in recent years, a pressure to replace the widely used polystyrene insulation for material, which is more sustainable and more eco-friendly. The shelf life of ETICS insulation on a building is around 25 - 30 years and that with proper care and repairs. When the polystyrene insulation is taken down from the building, there is a little to none chance of its recycling due to the residues of mortar and other building chemicals. When the insulation system on a building is repaired or replaced, a big advantage for the environment would be, if the main part of the system, as well as the whole system, would be biodegradable.For the sustainable building industry, the advantage is also in the source of the main raw material, as it is grown naturally instead of being chemically produced, as the polystyrene. That is the place, where the straw based insulating panel comes in. Even the use of the casein glue, which base is also natural, contributes to the environmental importance of this research.This paper if fully dedicated to the complexity of making an insulating panel of rye straw bonded with casein glue.