Insulation corkboard for sustainable energy and environmental protection

Cork products for the construction industry have an important contribution and remarkable advantages, namely insulation corkboard (ICB). The production of insulation corkboards uses only superheated steam, using steam generators fed with their own waste obtained in cork grinding and board finishing operations, not introducing any other products that are not exclusively cork. The agglomeration is based on cork resins, being a 100% natural and ecological product. At the end of the period of use, this product may come to be used in identical applications, since some tests showed that after this time the look and the essential properties of this insulation material are unchanged. In the case that this is not possible its grinding is promoted, obtaining a re- granulate which is used for new applications in thermal insulation or to be used as inert in the manufacture of light concrete and mortars. Considering an apparent density average value of 120 kg.m-3 and an average value of 90,000 m3/year for the total ICB production, this corresponds to a CO2 equivalent (sequestration) of more than 25,500 ton/year and corresponds to the pollution of more than 11,200 cars/year.