Insulation Materials (Glass Wool)

There various materials that are used for the thermal insulation of buildings. The most common insulation types are mineral fibre products (glass wool, stone wool), cellular plastics (Expanded polystyrene, EPS; Extruded polystyrene, XPS; Polyurethane, PUR) and biobased materials (e.g. cellulose, cork). Glass wool is one of the most widely used insulation material due to its thermal and technical performance , but it generates significant waste. In manufacturing, reduction strategies include optimizing fibre density. Remanufacturing is well-established, with up to 80% of input materials coming from recycled glass cullet and internal waste. Repurposing includes using waste glass wool in bricks, mats, and other building materials. Recycling is emerging, with some companies developing closed-loop systems for collecting and reprocessing glass wool waste.

At the end of life, glass wool can be recycled indefinitely, although this is not yet common practice. Repurposing into acoustic panels and ceiling tiles is gaining traction, offering a practical reuse pathway.