CONICET specialists are working on the development of thermoacoustic insulators from wine-making waste
·5 mins·
Notaspampeanas
CONICET
Circular Economy
Thermoacoustic Insulators
Construction Industry
Author
Notaspampeanas
Digging on curiosity and science.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The project aims to produce biomaterials by cultivating fungal mycelium on grapevine pruning waste biomass. Within the construction industry, these materials could be integrated into all types of buildings and in the renovation of spaces, replacing highly polluting conventional insulation.
Assembly of test specimens in the laboratory. Photos: CONICET Mendoza.
Specialists from CONICET, Argentina are working on a project to develop thermal and acoustic insulation systems using wine industry waste organically bound with fungal mycelium. This process, known as biofabrication, aims to provide solutions that address urban sustainability public policies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the energy transition. The project also has the collaboration of a winery in Mendoza, which supplies the waste from the wine industry.
Although they play a key role in the thermal efficiency of buildings, many of the insulating materials used by the construction industry have a significant environmental cost from their inception. Products such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane, fiberglass, and rock wool are manufactured from non-renewable resources and through industrial processes that demand large amounts of energy.
Assembly of test specimens in the laboratory. Photos: CONICET Mendoza
“The production of traditional insulating materials is a significant source of atmospheric pollution. In contrast, the current trend is geared towards developing thermal and acoustic insulation solutions with a sustainable approach. Our research aligns with these international trends that prioritize materials with low embodied energy and a reduced carbon footprint, optimizing energy efficiency not only during use but also from the production stage,” said Ayelén Villalba, a CONICET researcher at the Institute of Environment, Habitat and Energy (INAHE, CONICET), and one of the project leaders.
The mycelium creates a network of microscopic filaments in the biomass that branch and fuse with each other and with the substrate, chemically integrating with it. Photos: CONICET Mendoza
The project focuses on producing biomaterials by cultivating mycelium on waste biomass from the wine industry, specifically grapevine prunings. In addition to producing the material, the project includes analyzing its physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and designing prototypes to facilitate its application in construction systems.
Assembly of test specimens in the laboratory. Photography: CONICET Mendoza
“Biomaterials made from agro-industrial waste bio-linked with fungal mycelium represent an innovative and sustainable alternative that allows for the valorization of local resources, reduces energy use, and promotes circular economy strategies in construction,” highlighted Noelia Alchapar, another of the CONICET researchers at INAHE involved in the work.
This combination of elements for applications in the construction industry is one of the most innovative aspects of the project. Currently, there is no similar development using grapevine pruning biomass for the production of construction materials.
“The unique characteristics of using wine waste as a substrate, due to its heterogeneous nature and high lignin content, result in a material with greater structural integrity than other mycelium compounds,” explained Maira Terraza, a CONICET doctoral fellow at INAHE who is also part of the project. She added, “The mycelium creates a network of hyphae (microscopic filaments) in the biomass that branch and fuse with each other and with the substrate, chemically integrating with it. This network consolidates the substrate particles, generating a single block of material.”
Maira Terraza, one of the project managers, performs a visual inspection of the substrate colonization. Photography: CONICET Mendoza
“The team has already developed prototypes that have been tested in the laboratory and have demonstrated that the material performs well as a thermal insulator and effectively contributes to sound absorption. Regarding its durability, despite being an organic and biodegradable material, it exhibits good resistance to deterioration under normal use. “We are making progress in optimizing production protocols to obtain a material that lasts over time and meets the standards required by the construction industry,”Terraza noted.
Within the construction industry, these materials could be integrated into all types of buildings and in the renovation of existing spaces, replacing conventional insulation. In other words, their implementation is feasible both in new construction projects and in interventions aimed at improving the energy performance of existing buildings. In addition to their environmental advantages, this biomaterial offers a concrete opportunity to optimize the energy performance of buildings and reduce their energy requirements.
Data recording to assess dimensional stability. Photo: CONICET-Mendoza
“The great potential of biomaterials lies in their ability to reimagine waste as strategic resources and to leverage natural processes and resources to our advantage. Furthermore, this approach directly strengthens the regional economy by giving new value to biomass from the wine industry, transforming local waste into a high-level technological input. In this way, we not only reduce environmental impact but also generate new value chains that drive the productive development of our region. The role of scientific research here is fundamental, as it allows us to move from ideas and experimentation to real, scalable, and responsible solutions,” Terraza concluded.
In addition to the scientists from INAHE,Pablo Postemsky, a CONICET researcher at the Center for Renewable Natural Resources of the Semi-Arid Zone (CONICET-UNS), is also involved in the project.
The article Especialistas del CONICET trabajan en el desarrollo de aislantes termoacústicos a partir de residuos vitivinícolas, signed by Leonardo Fernández – Communications Area CONICET Mendoza was published in CONICET website.
