THERMAL INSULATING MORTAR PROJECT

ECOInovArg is a project, funded by the European Commission, through the program Portugal 2020. Its goal is the development of a technical mortar, with light aggregates, coming from vegetal and industrial waste. It’s a coating mortar, with thermal-acoustic properties, and an alternative to the ETICS system, with a low impact on the environment.

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MORTARS OF THE PROJECT

The ECOInovArg mortars aim for thermal conductivity values below the current values displayed by the ETICS system, improving the efficiency and productivity, by reducing the time required for the application.

The raw materials are environmentally friendly and have a low CO2 consumption rate.

It is also a goal to improve the fire resistance, decrease the time of application, decrease energy consumption, and eliminate the use of fossil fuels by-products.

POSITIVE EFFECTS

Increase of comfort.
Decrease of energy consumption by increasing thermal efficiency.
Use of forest and industrial waste, promoting the (re)utilization of EOL (End Of Life) materials.
Elimination of the use of petroleum based materials to reduce the impact of fossil fuels on the environment.
Use of non- toxic -additives, avoiding contamination of the environment.
Creation of insulation solutions with materials and techniques suitable for the renovation of old buildings, promoting rehabilitation.
Versatility for use in new buildings, being an effective, viable, and ecological solution.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

Reach thermal conductivity values around 0,06 W/(m.k).
Improve the applicability.
Decrease work time.
Reduce production costs in order to be an economic option when faced to the ETICS system.
Create a range of products in conformity with the European Standards requirements.

ACTIVITIES

The project has a timeline that defines the activities in course:

Preliminary studies.
Technical specifications.
Acquiring and developing knowledge.
Development.
Prototype construction.
Tests.
Promotion and disclosure of the results.
Technical management of the project.

INNOVATIONS

Increase of 25 % of efficiency when compared to the mortar developed up to date (0,06 W/(m.k)), and increase of 40 % when compared to the standard values of thermal insulating mortars with cork.
Ensure high levels of water vapor permeability (inversely to ETICS systems), without loss of water absorption characteristics in the liquid phase.
Reduction of the number of layers compared to thermal and acoustic systems.
Incorporation of sustainable characteristics: use of natural and renewable materials, production residues, use of lower energy consumption binders, local manufacturing and low product density.
Increased workability.

THE SYSTEM

The thermal mortar under development in the ECOInovArg project, as well as the mortars and solutions of the kind, will have to be incorporated in the system form, to ensure that all its properties are maximized. Although used in a system, the new mortar is able to reduce the number of layers needed, compared to the options available in the market.
The thermal mortar will be applied directly to the masonry, with a thickness of more than 4 cm to contribute to the construction.

PROPERTIES

Thermal insulation mortars have pre-set requirements to be achieved. These prerequisites are divided into two situations, those that are mandatory for the development of a designated thermal insulation mortar and the complementary objectives.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Bulk density <500 kg / m3
Compressive strength> 0.4 to 2.5 N / mm2
Coefficient of water absorption by capillarity ≤ 0,4 km / m2.min0,5 (W1)
Water vapor permeability coefficient ≤ 15
Thermal conductivity ≤ 0.06 W / m.K

COMPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Reduction of bulk density <400 kg / m3 - lower weight means less consumption of transport resources.
Reduction of binder percentage - higher thermal efficiency, lower weight, and lower consumption of non-renewable raw materials.
Increased use of forest and industrial waste - greater thermal efficiency, less weight, reuse of materials, and use of renewable raw materials.

MISSION

With the ECOInovArg project, the mission is to continue to promote the development and innovation in the construction and rehabilitation sector, specifically in the area of mortars. It seeks to create a bridge that connects the current scenario to the past, creating solutions adapted to the daily needs, always with ecological concern with the environmental and social impact that the sector entails.