Sustainable composite insulation panels: investigating diverse alternatives for insulating applications utilizing coconut husk and agro-industrial residue composites

The current economic crisis emphasizes the need for cost-effective and sustainable construction practices, given that the construction sector remains a significant environmental polluter, generating harmful residues and consuming substantial energy and resources. This study investigates the use of agro-industrial waste materials, particularly coconut husk, combined with innovative adhesives such as rice water, rubber wastewater, bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) extract and lime to develop eco-efficient insulation boards. The research focuses on evaluating key attributes including thermal properties, mechanical strength characteristics and resistance to mold growth, while also considering the influence of lime as a factor. Standard testing methods were employed, including thermal conductivity tests to assess insulation efficiency, adhesive strength tests to measure bonding performance and mold resistance tests to compare the durability of different adhesives. The study highlights the potential of utilizing agro-industrial waste materials to produce sustainable insulation solutions, addressing both environmental and economic challenges in the construction sector. Findings indicate that each adhesive type exhibited unique properties with some binders showing promise as viable options for bio-based insulation panels. However, further improvements are needed to enhance the biological resistance of the natural adhesive, possibly by integrating synthetic materials.