Straw-based wall systems will be easier to source in the UK after a partnership between sustainable products distributor Ecological Building Systems and a European construction technology startup.
Slovakia-based EcoCocon makes prefabricated straw wall panels primarily from compressed straw and timber. They are used to achieve Passive House-level thermal performance and reduce embodied carbon in construction.
The straw-based wall system is robotically manufactured in Europe and is a “viable solution” for single-family homes and largescale developments, said EcoCocon.
The startup claims its system has been used in “hundreds” of projects across Europe, including schools, residential buildings and co-housing developments.
EcoCocon’s panels are made of 89% straw and 10% wood.
A bare EcoCocon panel with a membrane on the exterior surface achieves a fire
resistance of 30 minutes, while the complete EcoCocon straw wall system
provides 120 minutes of fire resistance, according to the product’s technical specification sheet.
“The system is fully certified, supports circular construction, and is designed for fast onsite assembly, reducing build time and waste,” said EcoCocon.
The startup was founded in Lithuania in 2008 by a group of civil engineers interested in sustainable construction.
Ecological Building Systems will provide full distribution and technical support in the UK, including design consultation, detailing training and onsite assistance.
Adrian Crosson, Irish director and general manager at Ecological Building Systems, said: “From the beginning, Ecological has focused on low embodied carbon solutions that are durable, purpose-fit for the UK and Ireland, and supported by expert technical guidance, from design through to construction.
“By combining EcoCocon straw wall panel systems with our trusted technical support, we’re making sustainable building more accessible and achievable than ever before.”
