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Ecowool
tervetuloa
Insulation Material

Ecowool in insulation markets

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These product
properties
position
Ecowool
uniquely into
leadership of
ecological
insulation
markets.

- ECOWOOL ORGANIC INSULATION MATERIAL

Wood fibre insulation material is made from recycled newsprint milled into a fibrous form
with fire and rot retardants added
-> This produces consistency which makes Ecowool as:

1. BETTER THERMAL INSULATION ALTERNATIVE COMPARED TO

TRADITIONAL INSULATION

2. ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY INSULATION MATERIAL

3. HEALTHY INSULATION MATERIAL

Ecowool in insulation markets

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MARKETING

HARDWARE STORES

PRODUCTION

SUBCONTRACTORS

CONSTRUCTORS, BUILDERS

Ecowools properties as
insulation material

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Cellulose fibre insulation = Ecowool has been used in the world over 60 years. By now millions of houses
have been insulated with cellulose fibre.
As a result of continuing research work Ecowools a competitive consistency cornerstones are established:

Ecowool insulates effectively

thermal conductivity n = 0.040 W/mK

Because of the density of the material the air conductivity of Ecowool is small
air conductivity 80...120 x 10-6 m3/msPa

In any fire cases Ecowool neither burst into flames, nor smelt, nor sinter but smoulder slowly. This is
due to the used fire retarding agents - boron compounds. During the possible fire Ecowool's boron
compounds release their crystallization water and in this way moisten the insulating layer, cool down the
heat and retard the fire. Ecowool has an ability to protect the structures against fire

As a wood fibre -based insulation material Ecowool has excellent moisture properties. By using Ecowool
as insulation material wood-framed external walls can be built without plastic film vapour barrier

Boric acid is used as fire retarding agent. Borax is effective rot retardant. These boron compounds
prevent the growth of fungi. Even existing fungus die when they come into contact with Ecowool. Microorganisms or smaller rodents do not thrive in the insulation

Thermal insulation properties

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Ecowool has a good thermal insulation properties consisting of four elements:

Ecowool's
good thermal
insulation
properties

Wood fibre as
raw material

Air

Wood density
fibre

Method of
installation

Ecowool as product in
insulation markets
WOOD FIBRE AS RAW MATERIAL
As a wood fibre-based insulation material Ecowool contains the good
thermal properties of wood
AIR
Ecowool utilizes the good thermal insulation ability of air. In Ecowool
there is 85 - 92 % unbound air. Even the fibres themselves contain air
and act as insulation
DENSITY
Ecowool's density is result of effective manufacturing process: in
process recycled paper is shredded mechanically down into extremely
fine wood fibres

Because of Ecowool's density, the air which is in the material stays

stagnant. So the material utilizes stagnant air's ability to insulate well

Ecowool's air conductivity is small due to the fine and tight consistency

METHOD OF INSTALLATION
Ecowool is blown or sprayed into the space to be insulated. In this way
Ecowool reaches all the most inaccessible nooks and crannies and
provides a seamless and tight insulation

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Thermal conductivity
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In Finland Ecowool's thermal

conductivity has been researched by
Technical Research Centre of
Finland. Officially measured average
thermal conductivity 10-value for
Ecowool is 0,0367, from which can
be calculated the normal thermal
conductivity n -value 0,041 W/mK.

Product

Nominal
dry density
kg/m3

Normal thermal
conductivity
n W/mK

Blown rockwool 1

30

0.050

Blown rockwool 2

36

0.045

Blown rockwool 3

40

0.050

Blown glasswool 1

20

0.050

Blown glasswool 2

25

0.045

Ecowool = cellulose fibre

35

0,036-0.041

Thermal conductivity values for blown insulation

materials used in Finland.
Source: Construction Supervision 3/90 p. 30 - 31
(Rakennusvalvonta 3/90 p. 30 - 31)

Air conductivity
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Ecowool's air conductivity is small. This

property is based on two typical features
of wood fibre:

The fine of wood fibre slows effectively

movements of air
Because of chances of relative air
humidity the Ecowool's upper layer
becomes tighter and the fibres of upper
layer stick together little by little
forming into the upper surface thin
paper like layer which prevents
effectively the penetration of air stream
into the inside layers of insulation
material

Product

Air conductivity
m3/ms Pa

Dry density
kg/m3

Blown rockwool

190...310*10 -6
(550*10 -6)

50,9...60,8

Blown glasswool

480...960*10 -6
(1310 *10 -6)

22,00...29,9

Ecowool
=cellulose fibre

80...120*10 -6
(150*10 -6)

30,6...40,0

The measured average air conductivity values for

blown insulation materials used in Finland. In
table is shown the range of air conductivity values
and in brackets exceptionally high measured
values.
Source: Technical Research Centre of Finland, Research Notes
631, p. 29 (VTT, Tiedotteita 631, p. 29).

Fire properties
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Ecowool's fire resistance properties are

based on boron compounds - boric acid
and borax. Due to properties of boric acid
and borax Ecowool neither burst into
flames nor smelt; only smoulders
slowly.
Fire retarding agents effect two ways:
1) they direct combustion reaction so that
during fire the amount of combustible
components is minimum, and the amount
of generated carbon is maximum
2) fire retardants have a moisturizing
effect. When they heat up they disengage
their crystallization water and prevent
the access of oxygen. In this way they
slow the fire and cool down the insulation
layer. Because of this Ecowool endures
extremely well the stresses of fire.
No toxic gases are evaporated from
Ecowool during the fire.

Temperature (C )
Product
Rock wool
(mineral wool)
Ecowool
(cellulose wool)
Glass wool

Measurement
point
bottom board
insulation
upper board
bottom board
insulation
upper board
bottom board
insulation
upper board

10 min.

15 min.

20 min.

25 min.

30 min.

112
20
18
115
18
18
115
75
25

245
65
18
300
18
18
630
75
45

680
75
75
730
95
20
750
500
100

800
80
65
830
95
70
820
720
370

820
200
75
840
95
85
830
800
670

Result of the fire proofing test. The fire resistance test

was arranged so that a chipboard was placed on both
sides of the insulation.
Source: VTT PAL3369, 9.02.1984

Moisture properties
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As organic insulation material Ecowool's moisture behaviour varies from typical moisture behaviour of
other insulation materials.
MOISTURE BEHAVIOUR
Inorganic insulation materials
The fibres of inorganic insulation materials are incapable of binding and releasing moisture

air and water move between the fibres or along them

moisture does not bind into insulation. When the moisture condenses into water, it flows between the fibres down to
constructions and may cause rot and decays

the insulation material must be isolated against moisture

use of plastic film vapour barriers is necessary within inorganic insulation materials

ECOWOOL/organic insulation materials

Ecowool's raw material wood fibre is capable of binding moisture and releasing it without losing its thermal insulation
properties

Ecowool's moisture content follows the relative air humidity like wood

Because of this property - breathing - Ecowool insulated houses can be built without vapour barrier

Installation
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Ecowool is installed into space to be insulated by blowing when the material reaches all the most
inaccessible nooks and crannies and provides a seamless insulation layer. As blown, the material
surrounds tightly electric pipes and other constructions which are difficult to insulate
insulation layer will be dense and without gaps
there are no leaking joints in lead-throughs and lattices
METHODS OF BLOWING
There are two methods of blowing
The spray on -method used in open wall
constructions gives undeniable advantage
for Ecowool's user. When the material is
moisturized with water, the lignin of wood
fibre will activate and it will function like a
glue. This means that Ecowool adheres
tightly in the constructions and forms a
dense insulation layer without any gaps.

Method of blowing

Binding
agent

Blowing -method

Air

Spray on -method

Water

Usage possibilities

attics
floored attics
sloping ceilings
closed wall
constructions
open wall constructions

SAVINGS
Blowing method means to the end user savings during the building time. For example there will be no
waste pieces only the amount needed. This is a big advantage compared with board like insulation
materials. Blowing is a very quick method and guarantees a superior installation result.

Installation
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CEILINGS

Density 45 kg/m3

ATTICS

Density 30 - 35 kg/m3

WALLS

Density 35kg/m3
Exterior and interior walls
(spray on method)
Density 65 kg/m3
Vertical hollows
(dry blowing method)

FLOORS

Density 40 - 50 kg/m3

Technical data
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Thermal
conductivity

R = 0.040 W/mK
(Actual -values determined and approved by local authorities)

Fire category

Cellulose fibre does not maintain or spread fire

(Actual classification according to local requirements)

Air conductivity
moisture content
pH-value
Package

Density

Raw materials for producing

1000 kg cellulose fibre

Power supply

80...120 x 10-6 m3/msPa

(depending on the installed density)
abt. 10 % of dry weight
7,8 - 8,3
paper sack, plastic bag or plastic foil, abt. 15 kg/ sack
Recommendable densities
floors 40 - 50 kg/m3
attics 30 - 35 kg/m3
ceilings 45 kg/m3
walls 35 kg / m3 (exterior and interior walls; spray on method)
walls 65 kg / m3 (vertical hollows; dry blowing method)

810 kg = 81 % recycled paper (sorted, dry, newsprint)

120 kg = 12 % boric acid (H3BO3) (fire retarding)
70 kg = 7 % borax (Na2B4O710H2O) (rot retarding)
Voltage: 400/230 V, 50 Hz
Connected power: 110 450 kW
(depending on machinery)

Why Cellulose Fibre?

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Excellent thermal insulation value

Evens out the moisture in structures
Breathing material
Seamless and draught-free insulation
Fire safe; it does not catch or propagate fire
Resist rot, fungus growth and pests
No sagging, strong adhesion to the surrounding structures
Ecological manufactured locally from recycled paper
User friendly installation; safe, no cutting, no waste
no toxic waste is created during the manufacturing process
material is recyclable after usage
only non-toxic natural chemicals are used

Ecowool
-Natural insulation material

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During the last few years a great deal of environmental and healthy demands are placed for building
materials. Ecowool is an insulation material alternative which excels in these properties:

DEMANDS FOR
INSULATION
MATERIALS.
IN THE FUTURE
INSULATION
MATERIALS ARE
ALSO REQUIRED
TO BE MORE
AND MORE
ENVIRONMENT
FRIENDLY AND
HEALTHY!

no toxic wastes are created

during process

Environment
friendly
insulation
material

Ecowool

process does not require much

energy

recycled paper as raw material

Healthy
insulation
material

does not contain any toxic,

volatile chemicals

as Ecowool is a breathing
insulation, moisture related
problems in structures are
minimized

Environmental friendly
insulation material

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Ecowool is made from recycled paper. Ecowool contains 80 % pure recycled newsprint and rest 20 %
non-volatile and safe fire and rot retarding agents.
As raw material the recycled paper is removed from general waste, thus reducing the overall burden.
Processing into Insulation is an ideal use for recycled paper.
Ecowool's manufacturing process does not harm the environment
Ecowool's manufacturing process is simple. It has two main phases:
1) pre-crushing where the recycled paper is pre-shredded and
2) refining where the pre-crushed paper is milled into a very fine fibrous form. In the second phase the fire
and rot retardants are added.
Manufacturing of Ecowool does not harm the environment with toxic emissions, nor does it use
non-renewable natural resources. The energy consumption of process is low.

Product

Mineral wool
Ecowool

Energy
consumption
KWh/kg
Glasswool: 6,5
Rockwool: 3
0,16

Energy
consumption
KWh/m3
180
5

Example of the energy consumption when

manufacturing different insulation materials.
Source: Waste and Environment 3/1992 p. 13 and National
Ecoproduct register 1994, p. 71 (Jte ja ymprist 3/1992,
p. 13; Valtakunnallinen Ekotuoterekisteri 1994, p. 71.

Healthy insulation material

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Cellulose fibre does not contain any volatile, unhealthy chemicals

The fire and rot retarding agents used in Ecowool are non-volatile and health safe agents.
(Technical Research Centre of Finland, Chemistry laboratory: Research note KEM322068/6.1.1983).

ECOWOOL DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY VOLATILE, UNHEALTHY PHENOLIC ADHESIVES

Injurious effects of compact constructions can be avoided
Due to energy saving campaigns, tightness of constructions is improved and the amount of insulation
materials is increased. For example, the effectiveness of thermal insulation is improved by using plastic
film vapour barriers. By using the plastic film vapour barriers

is made sure that the air in the insulation stays stagnant

the harmful moisture of indoor air does not condense into the external walls of the building

These tight plastic vapour barrier constructions may:

deteriorate the quality of indoor air

Cause the use mechanical ventilation. The consequence of this may be unsatisfying indoor air quality
and damage to structures

The above mentioned inconveniences can be avoided by naturally breathing structures. This means constructions
without vapour barriers.

Healthy insulation material

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Ecowool's raw material wood fibre is able to bind moisture and release it
without losing its thermal insulation properties

Ecowool's moisture content follows the relative air humidity like wood

Because of this property - breathing - Ecowool insulated houses can be built

without vapour barrier. In this way the quality of indoor air will be improved
and the injurious effects of impermeable constructions can be avoided

Ecowools advantages
for end user

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Choice of Ecowool insulation means for the end user:

ECONOMICAL
LIVING

The time of cheap energy is over. Ecowool's good thermal insulation ability
means to the end user energy savings, savings in heating/cooling costs
Ecowool reduces repairing costs because it protects the building effectively
against harmful effects of cold/hot and moisture
Also the savings during the building time are remarkable. By using Ecowool there
will be no waste, only the amount needed

HEALTHY LIVING

Ecowool is totally healthy safe: It is neither harmful during manufacturing nor

during installation nor during use. It is made from natural materials and due to
its properties it it possible to avoid the injurious effects of compact constructions
and the use of unhealthy chemicals

SAFE INSULATION
MATERIAL CHOICE

Ecowool is a safe insulation material choice. In any fire cases Ecowool neither
burst into flames nor smelt. It slows the fire and cools down the insulation layer.
Ecowools fire properties give time to rescue during the possible fire

CHOICE OF INSULATION MATERIAL

WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE ENVIRONMENT

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