Bio-Based Feather–Wool Nonwoven Thermal Insulation for Intelligent Beehives: Field Validation Using IoT Telemetry

Sebastian Górecki; Krystyna Wrześniewska-Tosik; Michalina Pałczyńska; Damian Walisiak; Tomasz Kowalewski; Szymon Przybył

doi:10.2478/ftee-2026-0007

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Bio-Based Feather–Wool Nonwoven Thermal Insulation for Intelligent Beehives: Field Validation Using IoT Telemetry

Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe

Volume 34 (2026): Issue 1 (February 2026)

By: Sebastian Górecki , Krystyna Wrześniewska-Tosik , Michalina Pałczyńska , Damian Walisiak , Tomasz Kowalewski and Szymon Przybył

Open Access

|Aug 2026

Abstract

Honeybee colonies are essential for biodiversity and food production but face increasing environmental pressures. This study presents a bio-based needle-punched nonwoven insulation composed of recycled chicken feathers and sheep wool, with a mass per unit area of approximately 433 g/m², integrated with an telemetry system for beehive monitoring. The multilayer composite was validated under real apiary conditions during a 1-year pilot study. Insulated hives exhibited improved thermal stability and enhanced overwintering vitality. Monitoring temperature, humidity, weight, and acoustic activity revealed seasonal colony dynamics. Correlations with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and PM2.5 data suggest that intelligent hives can serve as bioindicators of environmental conditions.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ftee-2026-0007 | Journal eISSN: 2300-7354 | Journal ISSN: 1230-3666

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Language: English

Page range: 64 - 75

Submitted on: Dec 29, 2025

Accepted on: Jul 14, 2026

Published on: Aug 18, 2026

Published by: Łukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: Volume open

Keywords:

Bio-based nonwoven,

Chicken feather,

Intelligent hives,

Needle-punched nonwoven,

Sheep wool

Related subjects:

Business and economics,

Business management,

Business informatics,

Process management,

Industrial chemistry,

Cellulose, paper and textiles,

Polymer science and technology,

Materials sciences,

Biomaterials and natural materials

© 2026 Sebastian Górecki, Krystyna Wrześniewska-Tosik, Michalina Pałczyńska, Damian Walisiak, Tomasz Kowalewski, Szymon Przybył, published by Łukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 34 (2026): Issue 1 (February 2026)