Eco-friendly insulation with natural sheep’s wool

Problem statement

Building materials have an important role to play in reducing our carbon footprint. So, it is no surprise that more renewable materials like sheep’s wool are showing up. Sheep’s wool is a promising alternative to the other traditional solutions on the market.

Executive summary

Wool-based insulation can be easily customised to fit specific dimensions and used in the same way as other types of insulation. Some manufacturers offer options such as 100% sheep wool insulation, while others provide a blend of wool (75%) and recycled polyester, known as wool-rich insulation.
Compared to other types of insulation, sheep’s wool has a strong reputation for being fully eco-friendly and comes close to meeting the benchmark set by other types of man-made insulation.

Technology description

Sheep’s wool is one of the few insulation materials that are naturally breathable, meaning it has a natural ability to absorb and release moisture. The outer layer of wool is hydrophobic (water repellant), while its inner layer, known as the cortex, is hydrophilic, meaning it has an affinity for water. The cortex can absorb water without causing the wool to feel damp. This unique property of wool helps protect structural wood from moisture and helps inhibit mould growth.
Sheep’s wool is completely non-toxic and very safe to handle. This means there is minimal risk of irritation of the skin during installation, and its minimal weight and flexibility also make it an attractive alternative to man-made materials.
Sheep’s wool also benefits from being flame resistant. This is particularly important in African context where high temperatures are a risk.

Industrial buildings:
Our wool insulation is inserted between the metal profiles and attached to the plaster board, OSB (oriented strand board), etc. mounted on the metallic frames by applying staples on panels at intervals of 30-40 cm. It is suggested to have the insulation slightly opened at the point where the staple is applied.

Apartment buildings:
The wool insulation is inserted between the metal profiles and attached to the drywall mounted on the metallic frames by applying staples on panels at intervals of 30-40 cm. It’s better to have the insulation slightly opened at the point where the staple is applied.

Market deployment considerations

Environmental considerations