Insulation: Recycled Denim

WHAT IS IT?

Jeans (made of cotton) are recycled down into denim scraps to create insulation. Zippers and buttons are removed, and the denim is shredded and processed into a cotton-like material. Treated with boric acid for fire and insect resistance, the fibers are then formed into rolls, often blended with recycled cotton to enhance its thermal resistance. The insulation is then ready to be used.¹

Denim insulation blended with other materials is also known as "Cotton Fibre Insulation".¹

MATERIAL LIFE CYCLE

KEY INFORMATION:

Denim is sorted and processed in the UK, but finally treated and assembled in Western Europe to produce denim insulation batts.²
Make-Up of Denim Thermal-Acoustic Insulation Products: Innotherm (France) and Pavatextil P (UK): 85% Recycled Cotton, 15% Polyester Binder, 1% Treatments.³
The cotton fibres have hygroscopic properties and have been subjected to anti-bacterial, fungal and flame retardant treatments, making them resistant to dust mites, mould and fire.⁴ (Class A Fire-rated) ⁶
Installed between timber/metal frameworks of walls and roofs.⁴
A+ Certification of harmful VOC Emissions (very low harmful airborne chemicals emissions).⁵
It is lightweight and soft to the touch, and is flexible to conform to different shaping needs and can be cut with an insulation knife. This allows for easy installation and layering.⁵
Requires a vapour-barrier to be installed to protect the insulation from moisture (extra cost).⁶
Thermal Conductivity (Lambda) Value of 0.039 W/mK⁷, v.s. PIR Insulation 0.020 W/mk (the lower the value, the more efficient the insulation).⁸