Nanocellulosa-baserade isoleringsmaterial : En studie om vad nanocellulosa-baserad isolering är, dess egenskaper och möjligheter i jämförelse med traditionella isolermaterial

Sammanfattning: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute with new knowledge about nanocellulose-based insulation products. It is an innovation that could potentially be applied as a building insulation material and possibly compete with today’s insulation materials. At this time, there is limited knowledge about nanocellulose-based insulation in the construction industry and with this study the interest should increase for nanocellulose-based insulation which may drive the research further in the field. The objective of the study is to demonstrate with focus on the environmental impact, constructional properties and economics whether nanocellulose-based insulation materials have the ability to compete with traditional insulation materials. Method: Literature studies, interviews, document analysis and calculations have been the implemented research methods in order to achieve the objective of the study. Literature studies has been carried out on previous research within the subject which constituted the scientific basis for the work under the theoretical framework. Interviews with experts in the subject provides experience within different perspectives studied in this report. Document analysis has given the study reality linked information regarding the constructional properties of nanocellulose insulation. Theoretical U-value calculations have been performed on walls with mineral wool, nanocellulose aerogel and nanocellulose foam. Findings: The study differentiates nanocellulose-based insulation into two categories; foam and aerogels. Nanocellulose foam could compete with the traditional insulation materials with regard to constructional properties and environmental perspectives, but not the economical since the cost of nanocellulose is too high. The price for nanocellulose foam could decrease to similar price levels as current materials when nanocellulose as a material begins to be applied in a greater extent. Both nanocellulose aerogel and nanocellulose foam are extracted from completely renewable sources, but in addition to that attribute, the insulation types are different in character. The study also shows that nanocellulose aerogel cannot compete with traditional insulation due to its high production cost. Implications: The study’s conclusion is that there is an existing technique with the potential to develop a nanocellulose-based foam material that have the potential to compete with the traditional insulation materials used today. In order for a nanocellulose-based aerogel to be competetive the development of cost-effective production techniques is required and the study shows that this type cannot compete with traditional insulation materials today. Limitations: The work was limited to deal with the three different perspectives; constructional properties, environment and economy when studying nanocellulose insulation. The constructional properties have been given greater importance, because it is the properties that determines if the material can be applied as an insulation or not.