Research Trends and Gaps in Construction Insulation Materials from Textile Waste and End-of-Life Wind Turbine Blades with Bio-Binders

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Authors: G. Vela, António Figueiredo, Vítor Costa, Romeu Vicente
Cited by: 1
References: 101

Abstract

emissions, particularly associated with the end-of-life decommissioning of turbine blades. This waste can be reused, combined with bio-based binders, to reduce the construction sector's long-term environmental impact. The present work identifies research trends and gaps in the use of these waste materials, either individually or combined, for the development of thermal and acoustic insulation solutions for the construction sector, by means of a combined bibliometric and content analysis of Scopus and Web of Science documents from 2014 to 2025. The study focuses on bibliometric indicators and reports on physical properties (thermal conductivity, density, mechanical strength, and acoustic performance) of the resulting composites, including those produced with bio-binders. Additionally, a qualitative review of life cycle assessment studies indicates that bio-based and waste-derived insulation materials can significantly reduce environmental impacts compared with conventional mineral or petrochemical insulators. Results reveal growing scientific interest in this subject, highlighting an annual publication growth of 5.09%. They emphasize the performance of natural textile fibers in thermal and acoustic insulation, the mechanical capacity of synthetic fibers, and the semi-structural potential of fiberglass composites. Meanwhile, bio-binders improve the upcycling of textile waste; however, they reveal a significant research gap in the integration of wind turbine blade waste into insulation composites. No indexed studies were found that simultaneously combine textile waste, blade-derived fibers, and bio-based binders in a single insulation system, despite projected cumulative blade waste of 43 million tons by 2050. These findings advocate hybrid innovations and standardized assessments to drive circular economy and low-carbon building solutions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites Fiber-reinforced polymer composites Hygrothermal properties of building materials

Publication details

Journal / source
Materials
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
19
Issue
7
Pages
1465–1465
Publication date
5 April 2026
Language
EN