Innovative Thermal Insulations from Cornstalk and Cereal Straw for Sustainable Architecture

Nowadays, architects are increasingly prioritising sustainability, leading to the rise in the popularity of construction products made from renewable raw materials. Using thermal insulation materials has become crucial to ensure the energy-efficient operation of buildings. In the building materials market, especially in the field of thermal insulation products, there is a growing interest in products made from natural, renewable raw materials. This is because their use can reduce the energy consumption of buildings but also the CO2 emissions of the construction industry. There is an urgent need to utilise various industrial and agricultural by-products. In Hungary, a large amount of cereal straw and cornstalks are not used or are burned, which increases CO2 emissions. Using them as a construction product would be an excellent alternative solution for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the construction industry. In recent years, there have been two attempts to produce building insulation materials from cornstalks and cereal straws. As part of comprehensive research, a laboratory qualification test of both products was carried out. Based on the evaluation of the results, both thermal insulation products seem promising. Their material properties support their applicability in building construction, although some limitations should be considered. This paper aims to present the two experimental products mentioned above, analyse their material properties, and evaluate their applicability in the construction industry.