The use of forest-based materials for the efficient energy of cities: Environmental and economic implications of cork as insulation material

Results demonstrate a high potential of retrofit buildings with cork insulation boards from an environmental and economic perspective, therefore the present capacity of cork oak forest sector in Catalonia is not ready to absorb the potential demand that could be generated, as less than 50% of forests are not managed and harvested. This is also an opportunity for this sector to diversify its market and develop other products that can fit into many other sectors. The use of cork wastes and by-products to produce granulates would be a relevant circular economy strategy in order to substitute other non-renewable materials.