Complete Guide to Thermal Insulation with Recycled Textile Fiber
What is Thermal Insulation Made from Recycled Textile Fiber?
Recycled textile fiber thermal insulation is an innovative solution that transforms textile waste — cotton scraps, synthetic fibers, industrial wools — into high-performance insulation panels and rolls. At Rebrick, we have developed a complete textile waste recovery chain to produce insulants that compete with the best conventional materials, while eliminating the environmental nuisances associated with their manufacture.
Unlike glass wool or expanded polystyrene, our textile insulants are composed of 80% recycled cotton and other natural fibers. They contain no irritating chemicals, no toxic binders, and their carbon footprint is incomparably better than that of traditional synthetic insulants.
Thermal Performance: What Do the Numbers Say?
An insulation material's performance is primarily measured by its thermal resistance (R) and thermal conductivity (λ, lambda). The higher the R and the lower the λ, the better the insulation.
- Thermal conductivity λ: 0.036 to 0.042 W/(m·K) depending on product thickness and density
- Thermal resistance R: from 1.5 to 7.5 m²·K/W for thicknesses of 60 to 300 mm
- Fire classification: Euroclass E (with fire retardant treatment possible up to class B)
- Moisture resistance: excellent — cotton naturally regulates hygrometry
- Estimated service life: over 50 years without loss of performance
Ecological and Health Benefits
The global textile industry generates 92 million tonnes of waste per year, of which less than 1% is currently recycled into building materials. Each Rebrick insulation panel recovers kilos of fibers that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators.
1. Near-Zero Carbon Footprint
Manufacturing glass wool requires melting sand at over 1,400°C, generating significant CO₂ emissions. Our textile insulants are produced by cold mechanical carding and needle-punching — a process that consumes 10 times less energy than an equivalent mineral insulant.
2. No VOC Emissions
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are absent from our products. Our insulants do not release formaldehyde, styrene, or other indoor pollutants, making them particularly suitable for high environmental quality (HEQ) constructions and positive-energy buildings (PEB).
3. Health Safety for Installers
Textile fibers are not irritating to the skin, eyes, or respiratory tract. Installation comfort is significantly better than with glass wool, which also reduces installation time and therefore labor costs.
Installation: How to Install Recycled Textile Insulation?
Installation is one of the strong points of textile insulants: it requires no specific personal protective equipment and is carried out with standard tools.
- Check the structure's condition (sound framework, absence of mold)
- Unroll the first layer between existing joists, cutting cleanly at junctions
- Lay the second layer perpendicular to the first to eliminate thermal bridges
- Install a vapor barrier on the warm side if required by local regulations
- Leave a ventilated air gap on the cold side to evacuate moisture
Return on Investment
Investment in good thermal insulation generally pays for itself in 5 to 10 years on a detached house. With the continuous rise in energy prices, this payback period tends to shorten. For a 120 m² poorly insulated house, annual savings after complete insulation can reach 30 to 45% of the annual energy bill.
Conclusion: Tomorrow's Insulation, Available Today
Recycled textile fiber thermal insulation represents a rare convergence of technical performance, energy savings, and environmental responsibility. By choosing Rebrick products, you invest in your building's comfort while actively contributing to the reduction of textile waste and the fight against climate change.
Contact us for a free thermal study of your project and find out which product best suits your needs.