In light of the changing climate and the need for urban densification in the
Netherlands, this study analyzes the potential global warming impact (GWI)
of implementing bio-based insulation materials (BBIMs) in high-rises in Amsterdam.
A literature and market review led to the identification of straw, grass,
hemp, flax, wood-fiber, and cellulose insulation as the most relevant BBIMs in
the Dutch context because of local availability and potential scalability. From
an expert interview on fire-safety constraints of BBIMs, it was concluded that
a 12 mm layer of gypsum fiberboard is needed to ensure fire safety in high-rise
buildings for insulation materials which do not meet fire-safety class A1/A2.
The GWI of the BBIMs was compared with stone wool, glass wool, expanded
polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) through a dynamic Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA). The results consistently demonstrated optimal
GWI performance for the plant-based BBIMs, while XPS and cellulose typically
had the highest GWI. In a building case study, cumulative radiative forcing
values between 1.61e−8 W m−2 yr (cellulose) and −1.66e−8 W m−2 yr
(straw) were found in 2222. For the insulation of all 97.500 residential highrise
buildings which are to be built in Amsterdam until 2050, these values
were 2.50e−6 W m−2 yr (XPS) and −2.59e−6 W m−2 yr (straw). Annual
emissions savings of up to 587 tons of CO2-equivalents were projected when
switching from XPS to straw insulation. In working towards its 2050 climate
neutrality goals, the city of Amsterdam is advised to stimulate the implementation of BBIMs in all buildings, focusing on straw, grass and hemp in prefabricated façades.