Insulation: blowing in “chopped straw” is said to be 4 times more effective than glass wool

A little trip back to childhood to tell you about a material that is still used too little, but which could prove indispensable. In the story of the Three Little Pigs, the first Nif-Nif builds his house out of straw. Nouf-Nouf chooses wood, and Naf-Naf, brick! When the Big Bad Wolf blows on the first one’s house, it disintegrates in a few seconds. It’s a tale, of course, and the author, James Halliwell, who published this tale in 1890, probably did not think he was a visionary. Straw is the raw material chosen by the Ielo company, based in Haute-Vienne, which has decided to bring it up to date! And, It is in terms of insulation that this material could be revolutionary.while in everyone’s mind it is a fragile material intended for livestock feed. I’ll explain everything to you!

What is the Ielo sector?

Before introducing you to their insulation technique, since that is what it is all about, I will introduce you to the “Ielo” concept. The company, on its website, defines itself as “ a bridge between the agricultural world and the construction world”. In other words, this innovative cooperative brings together the farmers who supply the raw material, the company that processes it and the construction companies that use it. It is a new way to make the local economy workwith local products, and for companies in the geographical sector. Straw is at the heart of the interests of this cooperative located near Limoges.

What material does it develop?

As I told you in the introduction, straw is the central material of this cooperative. Farmers harvest it and sell it to the company to make a new insulation material. This straw is chopped and then blown into the partitions of those who are looking for an ecological material. The chopped straw, according to Ielo, would be four times more efficient than glass woolthanks to a 13-hour phase shift. In other words, it’s the time it takes for heat to travel through insulation and into a home. Phase shift is important because it helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside a home, even when the outside temperature changes. For example, in the summer, a good phase shift slows down the heat from outside before it enters the home, keeping the interior cooler during the day.

Straw, the future of insulation?

The ancients already used straw bales to insulate entrances from the cold, and Plant materials are not new in terms of insulation. For example, let us mention hemp, widely used in passive house constructions for its strong insulating power. At Ielo, straw bales are reduced to crumbs and formed into 15-kilo bales intended for insulation. In 2023, the cooperative has already supplied 5,000 tons of chopped straw, and hopes to produce three times more in the next three years. A college, that of Isle (Haute-Vienne) will be renovated using this technique, as will that of Couzeix, also in Haute-Vienne.

Moreover, chopped straw has just received an ATEX (technical assessment of experimentation) authorizing it to be included in the list of approved construction materials. To learn even more about this subject, visit the official website: ielo.coop. What do you think of this innovative way of using straw as an ecological insulator? We would be delighted to read your impressions or to know your experience on this subject. And, if you notice an error in this article, do not hesitate to let us know. You can click here to post a comment.