Using seaweed as insulation material

Country in which the innovation is available:

Germany

Name of the innovation:

Using seaweed as insulation material

Innovator:

Seegrashandel GmbH

CRT Category:

Energy, Food

What is this innovation about?

This innovation leverages seaweed washed ashore after storms in the Baltic Sea, transforming it into sustainable insulation material. Seaweed provides excellent thermal properties, is resistant to mold and pests, offers high ecological value and is fire-resistant. Collected from beaches, this material doesn’t require extensive cultivation or processing, making it both environmentally friendly and resource-efficient​.

What’s in it for a tourism SME?

For tourism SMEs, using seaweed insulation aligns with sustainable tourism practices by offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional insulation. This approach can enhance their appeal to eco-conscious tourists, particularly in Baltic regions where seaweed is part of the local landscape. Seaweed insulation also stores CO2 and supports energy efficiency, contributing to lower heating costs for SME facilities​.

Consider that:

While effective as insulation, seaweed may involve slightly higher initial costs (about 8% more than mineral wool). However, its durability and low maintenance requirements can result in long-term savings. Installed in the insulation layer, seaweed lasts virtually forever. It can be removed and reinstalled during renovation or demolition work, or alternatively used in the garden for composting.

Keywords:

Seaweed, insulation material, natural materials, ecological value, energy efficiency

Innovator’s website:

https://www.seegrashandel.de

Other sources and copyrights:

Disclaimer

*This post includes information publicly available online between March and October 2024. Some text is directly quoted from sources (see ‘Innovator’s website’ & ‘Sources and Copyrights’), while other parts are summarized or paraphrased and may not fully reflect the original intent. Online information and data may have changed or been removed since collection. Please always verify the most updated and accurate version of the innovator’s website and/or get in touch with the innovator for more and accurate information.
** This post shares insights on behalf of the Cross-Re-Tour EU-funded project. It is intended as a source of inspiration for tourism businesses interested in green and digital innovation. However, it does not guarantee that the mentioned innovation will be fully or partially eligible under the terms and conditions of the upcoming Call for Proposals within Cross-Re-Tour.