More and more construction companies, property owners, and architects are realizing the benefits of natural, organic, and climate-friendly materials in the construction processes for a sustainable and climate-smart future, both in terms of construction and the environment as a whole. Here, we ask Jimi Leo at A-hus in Kungsbacka, who uses Swedish-made cellulose insulation from iCell in their production, among other things, to gain a better understanding of their decision and how it affects their construction projects.
What is A-hus and what is your business concept?
– We build small houses that are energy-efficient and of high quality. We have a well-insulated and tight climate shell, and we build our building components in an industrial production – without the risk of moisture and with minimal waste.
What type of natural materials do you use, and why did you choose them?
– In A-hus’s research & development house, Klivet, we have chosen to test bio-based insulation in our walls. Mostly from recycled newspaper.
Our goal in this project has been to reduce the climate footprint. By using a wooden foundation, switching to paper roofing, bio-based insulation, and replacing some building boards, we were able to achieve a 39% reduction in the climate footprint, compared to our normal building standard.
What advantages do you see in using cellulose as insulation compared to commonly occurring synthetic alternatives such as mineral wool?
– We chose this type of insulation because it is made from recycled material and contributes to low carbon dioxide emissions.
The product was a pleasant material to work with, without harmful dust.
Have you encountered any challenges in connection with the use of natural materials? If so, what were they and how did you solve them?
– In our research and development house, Klivet, we chose to test many different types of materials. Some in our production and some that were mounted on the construction site. If we stick to the board insulation, there were initially problems with cutting the boards, but after good support from the supplier, solutions were found for this.
What types of construction projects are best suited for cellulose insulation?
– We believe there is potential for cellulose insulation in many of our projects.
How do you experience the use of organic material such as cellulose to work with when it comes to the environment and sustainability?
– The big obvious advantage is that there is no harmful dust.
What is your general attitude towards other material choices when it comes to the environment and sustainability?
– We try to test several different alternative materials to reduce the climate footprint from the construction. Then we try to produce energy-efficient houses that are energy-efficient even during operation.
What advice would you give to other builders who are considering switching more and more to organic and natural materials?
– Stop thinking and test the products. Even if they may feel strange at first, you will find new ways of working to handle it just as smoothly.
How do you see the future for the use of more natural building materials in the construction industry?
– There will probably be more and more who will review their deliveries going forward, now that it is calculated and compared more on the climate footprints. We ourselves will continue to test the market’s interest in sustainable choices by offering certain solutions from Klivet to customers. Kliv-ett becomes Kliv-två, Kliv-tre, etc.
Name: Jimi Leo
Title: Technical Product Owner
Company: A-hus (Derome Husproduktion AB)
Location: Kungsbacka
Website: https://www.a-hus.se
For more information about Klivet see:
https://www.a-hus.se/det-har-ar-a-hus/vara-fordelar/klivet-forsknings-utvecklingshus-klimatneutralt-byggande
