RENDIMIENTO TERMO-ENERGÉTICO DE AISLANTE DE MICELIO COMO ALTERNATIVA SOSTENIBLE PARA AISLACIÓN TÉRMICA EN SISTEMAS INDUSTRIALES DE CONSTRUCCIÓN LIVIANA

Maira Terraza; Noelia Alchapar; Maria Victoria Mercado; Ayelén Villalba

doi:10.48204/2710-7426.9374

Submitted February 10, 2026

Published 2026-02-19

Artículos

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): SusBCity

RENDIMIENTO TERMO-ENERGÉTICO DE AISLANTE DE MICELIO COMO ALTERNATIVA SOSTENIBLE PARA AISLACIÓN TÉRMICA EN SISTEMAS INDUSTRIALES DE CONSTRUCCIÓN LIVIANA

Maira Terraza ⁺⁻
Noelia Alchapar ⁺⁻
Maria Victoria Mercado ⁺⁻
Ayelén Villalba ⁺⁻

DOI https://doi.org/10.48204/2710-7426.9374

PDF (Español (España))

References

DOI: 10.48204/2710-7426.9374

Published: 2026-02-19

How to Cite

Terraza , M., Alchapar , N., Mercado , M. V., & Villalba , A. (2026). RENDIMIENTO TERMO-ENERGÉTICO DE AISLANTE DE MICELIO COMO ALTERNATIVA SOSTENIBLE PARA AISLACIÓN TÉRMICA EN SISTEMAS INDUSTRIALES DE CONSTRUCCIÓN LIVIANA. SusBCity, 8(1), 8–16. https://doi.org/10.48204/2710-7426.9374

Abstract

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing the environmental burden associated with conventional insulation materials has intensified the search for more sustainable construction alternatives. This study investigates the thermal and energy performance of a mycelium-based composite (MBC) in comparison with expanded polystyrene (EPS) within lightweight structural insulated panel (SIP) systems. Thermal properties and their influence on the energy behavior of a simplified prototype located in two bioenvironmental zones (IVa and V) of Mendoza, Argentina, were assessed. The analysis involved the determination of U-values following relevant standards and building energy simulations conducted in EnergyPlus. The main results show that the MBC must increase its thickness to 75 mm in order to achieve a performance comparable to that of a 50 mm EPS. A 1% difference in annual heating demand is observed between the two insulation materials. Overall, the findings position MBC as a promising thermal insulation alternative and underscore the need to address remaining challenges related to its physical properties, durability, and scalable manufacturing to support its practical adoption in the construction sector

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

S. Al-Qahtani, M. Koç, y R. J. Isaifan, “Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation for Domestic Cooling Footprint Reduction: A Review”, 2023, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). doi: 10.3390/su151713217.
M. Babenko, T. Klitou, E. Klumbyte, y P. A. Fokaides, “Environmental assessment of mycelium based straw insulation composite: A sustainability analysis at building material level”, Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 22, jul. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04572.
International Energy Agency, “Buildings – Energy system” IEA, 2025. [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings. Accedido [1-dic-2025]
N. Alchapar, J. Balter, M. V. Mercado y E. Correa, “Microclimatic models and their implications on the energy requirements of buildings in warm dry urban areas,” Energy and Buildings, vol. 319, p. 114468, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114468.
S. Sivaprasad, S. K. Byju, C. Prajith, J. Shaju, y C. R. Rejeesh, “Development of a novel mycelium bio-composite material to substitute for polystyrene in packaging applications”, Mater Today Proc, vol. 47, pp. 5038-5044, ene. 2021, doi: 10.1016/J.MATPR.2021.04.622.
S. Islam y G. Bhat, “Environmentally-friendly thermal and acoustic insulation materials from recycled textiles”, 1 de diciembre de 2019, Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109536.
M. Victoria Mercado, G. Barea, y R. Leal, “Thermal insulation’s influence in the energy consumption of housing in the summer”, International Building Performance Simulation Association, 2019.
Mordor Intelligence, “Análisis del tamaño y la cuota de mercado del acero galvanizado: tendencias de crecimiento y pronóstico (2025–2030)”, Mordor Intelligence, [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.mordorintelligence.ar/industry-reports/galvanized-steel-market. [Accedido: 7-dic-2025].
T. P. Sah, A. W. Lacey, H. Hao, y W. Chen, “Prefabricated concrete sandwich and other lightweight wall panels for sustainable building construction: State-of-the-art review”, 15 de julio de 2024, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109391.
G. Grazieschi, F. Asdrubali, y G. Thomas, “Embodied energy and carbon of building insulating materials: A critical review”, Cleaner Environmental Systems, vol. 2, jun. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100032.
M. A. Terraza, A. Villalba, y N. Alchapar, “Comparative analysis of conventional and unconventional thermal insulation materials for building construction”, Estoa, vol. 14, n.o 28, pp. 38-51, jul. 2025, doi: 10.18537/est.v014.n028.a03.
A. M. Villalba, N. L. Alchapar, E. N. Correa, A. E. Pattini, y L. Santoni, “Métodos de evaluación opto-térmica de materiales y componentes de la envolvente edilicia. Situación en Argentina”, Revista Hábitat Sustentable, pp. 64-79, dic. 2018, doi: 10.22320/07190700.2018.08.02.05.
R. Gaggino y G. R. Arguello, “Building components made from recycled plastics”, en Key Engineering Materials, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2014, pp. 615-627. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.600.615.
N. Attias et al., “Mycelium bio-composites in industrial design and architecture: Comparative review and experimental analysis”, J Clean Prod, vol. 246, feb. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119037.
K. B. Bonga et al., “Mycelium Agrowaste-Bound Biocomposites as Thermal and Acoustic Insulation Materials in Building Construction”, Macromol Mater Eng, vol. 309, n.o 6, jun. 2024, doi: 10.1002/mame.202300449.
P. P. Dias, L. B. Jayasinghe, y D. Waldmann, “Investigation of Mycelium-Miscanthus composites as building insulation material”, Results in Materials, vol. 10, jun. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.rinma.2021.100189.
E. Elsacker, S. Vandelook, J. Brancart, E. Peeters, y L. De Laet, “Mechanical, physical and chemical characterisation of mycelium-based composites with different types of lignocellulosic substrates”, PLoS One, vol. 14, n.o 7, jun. 2019, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213954.
M. Jones, A. Mautner, S. Luenco, A. Bismarck, y S. John, “Engineered mycelium composite construction materials from fungal biorefineries: A critical review”, 1 de febrero de 2020, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108397.
H. Mbabali, M. Lubwama, V. A. Yiga, E. Were, y H. Kasedde, “Development of Rice Husk and Sawdust Mycelium-Based Bio-composites: Optimization of Mechanical, Physical and Thermal Properties”, Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D, vol. 105, n.o 1, pp. 97-117, abr. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s40033-023-00458-x.
X. Zhang, J. Hu, X. Fan, y X. Yu, “Naturally grown mycelium-composite as sustainable building insulation materials”, J Clean Prod, vol. 342, mar. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130784.
B. Abu-Jdayil, A. H. Mourad, W. Hittini, M. Hassan, y S. Hameedi, “Traditional, state-of-the-art and renewable thermal building insulation materials: An overview”, 30 de julio de 2019, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.04.102.
L. Aditya, T.M.I. Mahlia, B. Rismanchi, H.M. Ng, M.H. Hasan, H.S.C. Metselaar, Oki Muraza, H.B. Aditiya, “A review on insulation materials for energy conservation in buildings”, 2017, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.02.034.
F. Asdrubali, F. D’Alessandro, y S. Schiavoni, “A review of unconventional sustainable building insulation materials”, Sustainable Materials and Technologies, vol. 4, pp. 1-17, jul. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.susmat.2015.05.002.
C. H. Koh, F. Gauvin, K. Schollbach, y H. J. H. Brouwers, “Investigation of material characteristics and hygrothermal performances of different bio-based insulation composites”, Constr Build Mater, vol. 346, sep. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128440.
Z. Yang, F. Zhang, B. Still, M. White, y P. Amstislavski, “Physical and Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium-Based Biofoam”, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 29, n.o 7, jul. 2017, doi: 10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0001866.
M. Terraza, N. Alchapar, A. Villalba, y P. Postemsky, “Materiales aislantes térmicos no convencionales: un análisis del micelio como alternativa sostenible en la construcción”, en ACTA DE LA XLVI REUNIÓN DE TRABAJO, vol. 11, Rosario: Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Ambiente, 2024, pp. 43-53.
J. Balter, N. Alchapar, E. Correa, y C. Ganem, “Urban microclimatic modeling for apartment’s thermo-energy simulation in high-rise buildings in Mendoza-Argentina. ENVI-met and EnergyPlus software integration.”, Informes de la Construccion, vol. 73, n.o 561, pp. 1-11, 2021, doi: 10.3989/IC.76749.
Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, Estadísticas climáticas, SMN, [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.smn.gob.ar/estadisticas [Accedido: 5-dic-2025]
Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM), “IRAM 11603. Acondicionamiento térmico de edificios. Clasificación bioambiental de la República Argentina”, 2011.
Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM), “IRAM 11605. Acondicionamiento térmico de edificios. Condiciones de habitabilidad en edificios”, 1996.
Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM), “IRAM 11601. Aislamiento térmico de edificios. Métodos de cálculo”, 2002.
M. V. Mercado y A. Esteves, “arquitectura sustentable, estudio térmico y técnico económico de la incorporación de aislación termica”, 2005. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344115376_ARQUITECTURA_SUSTENTABLE_ESTUDIO_TERMICO_Y_TECNICO_ECONOMICO_DE_LA_INCORPORACION_DE_AISLACION_TERMICA.

Keywords

PDF (Español (España))

Resumen visto - 1 veces
PDF (Español (España)) descargado - 0

Licencia

Content Top

[1] S. Al-Qahtani, M. Koç, y R. J. Isaifan, “Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation for Domestic Cooling Footprint Reduction: A Review”, 2023, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). doi: 10.3390/su151713217.

[2] M. Babenko, T. Klitou, E. Klumbyte, y P. A. Fokaides, “Environmental assessment of mycelium based straw insulation composite: A sustainability analysis at building material level”, Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 22, jul. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04572.

[3] International Energy Agency, “Buildings – Energy system” IEA, 2025. [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings. Accedido [1-dic-2025]

[4] N. Alchapar, J. Balter, M. V. Mercado y E. Correa, “Microclimatic models and their implications on the energy requirements of buildings in warm dry urban areas,” Energy and Buildings, vol. 319, p. 114468, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114468.

[5] S. Sivaprasad, S. K. Byju, C. Prajith, J. Shaju, y C. R. Rejeesh, “Development of a novel mycelium bio-composite material to substitute for polystyrene in packaging applications”, Mater Today Proc, vol. 47, pp. 5038-5044, ene. 2021, doi: 10.1016/J.MATPR.2021.04.622.

[6] S. Islam y G. Bhat, “Environmentally-friendly thermal and acoustic insulation materials from recycled textiles”, 1 de diciembre de 2019, Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109536.

[7] M. Victoria Mercado, G. Barea, y R. Leal, “Thermal insulation’s influence in the energy consumption of housing in the summer”, International Building Performance Simulation Association, 2019.

[8] Mordor Intelligence, “Análisis del tamaño y la cuota de mercado del acero galvanizado: tendencias de crecimiento y pronóstico (2025–2030)”, Mordor Intelligence, [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.mordorintelligence.ar/industry-reports/galvanized-steel-market. [Accedido: 7-dic-2025].

[9] T. P. Sah, A. W. Lacey, H. Hao, y W. Chen, “Prefabricated concrete sandwich and other lightweight wall panels for sustainable building construction: State-of-the-art review”, 15 de julio de 2024, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109391.

[10] G. Grazieschi, F. Asdrubali, y G. Thomas, “Embodied energy and carbon of building insulating materials: A critical review”, Cleaner Environmental Systems, vol. 2, jun. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100032.

[11] M. A. Terraza, A. Villalba, y N. Alchapar, “Comparative analysis of conventional and unconventional thermal insulation materials for building construction”, Estoa, vol. 14, n.o 28, pp. 38-51, jul. 2025, doi: 10.18537/est.v014.n028.a03.

[12] A. M. Villalba, N. L. Alchapar, E. N. Correa, A. E. Pattini, y L. Santoni, “Métodos de evaluación opto-térmica de materiales y componentes de la envolvente edilicia. Situación en Argentina”, Revista Hábitat Sustentable, pp. 64-79, dic. 2018, doi: 10.22320/07190700.2018.08.02.05.

[13] R. Gaggino y G. R. Arguello, “Building components made from recycled plastics”, en Key Engineering Materials, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2014, pp. 615-627. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.600.615.

[14] N. Attias et al., “Mycelium bio-composites in industrial design and architecture: Comparative review and experimental analysis”, J Clean Prod, vol. 246, feb. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119037.

[15] K. B. Bonga et al., “Mycelium Agrowaste-Bound Biocomposites as Thermal and Acoustic Insulation Materials in Building Construction”, Macromol Mater Eng, vol. 309, n.o 6, jun. 2024, doi: 10.1002/mame.202300449.

[16] P. P. Dias, L. B. Jayasinghe, y D. Waldmann, “Investigation of Mycelium-Miscanthus composites as building insulation material”, Results in Materials, vol. 10, jun. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.rinma.2021.100189.

[17] E. Elsacker, S. Vandelook, J. Brancart, E. Peeters, y L. De Laet, “Mechanical, physical and chemical characterisation of mycelium-based composites with different types of lignocellulosic substrates”, PLoS One, vol. 14, n.o 7, jun. 2019, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213954.

[18] M. Jones, A. Mautner, S. Luenco, A. Bismarck, y S. John, “Engineered mycelium composite construction materials from fungal biorefineries: A critical review”, 1 de febrero de 2020, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108397.

[19] H. Mbabali, M. Lubwama, V. A. Yiga, E. Were, y H. Kasedde, “Development of Rice Husk and Sawdust Mycelium-Based Bio-composites: Optimization of Mechanical, Physical and Thermal Properties”, Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D, vol. 105, n.o 1, pp. 97-117, abr. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s40033-023-00458-x.

[20] X. Zhang, J. Hu, X. Fan, y X. Yu, “Naturally grown mycelium-composite as sustainable building insulation materials”, J Clean Prod, vol. 342, mar. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130784.

[21] B. Abu-Jdayil, A. H. Mourad, W. Hittini, M. Hassan, y S. Hameedi, “Traditional, state-of-the-art and renewable thermal building insulation materials: An overview”, 30 de julio de 2019, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.04.102.

[22] L. Aditya, T.M.I. Mahlia, B. Rismanchi, H.M. Ng, M.H. Hasan, H.S.C. Metselaar, Oki Muraza, H.B. Aditiya, “A review on insulation materials for energy conservation in buildings”, 2017, Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.02.034.

[23] F. Asdrubali, F. D’Alessandro, y S. Schiavoni, “A review of unconventional sustainable building insulation materials”, Sustainable Materials and Technologies, vol. 4, pp. 1-17, jul. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.susmat.2015.05.002.

[24] C. H. Koh, F. Gauvin, K. Schollbach, y H. J. H. Brouwers, “Investigation of material characteristics and hygrothermal performances of different bio-based insulation composites”, Constr Build Mater, vol. 346, sep. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128440.

[25] Z. Yang, F. Zhang, B. Still, M. White, y P. Amstislavski, “Physical and Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium-Based Biofoam”, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 29, n.o 7, jul. 2017, doi: 10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0001866.

[26] M. Terraza, N. Alchapar, A. Villalba, y P. Postemsky, “Materiales aislantes térmicos no convencionales: un análisis del micelio como alternativa sostenible en la construcción”, en ACTA DE LA XLVI REUNIÓN DE TRABAJO, vol. 11, Rosario: Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Ambiente, 2024, pp. 43-53.

[27] J. Balter, N. Alchapar, E. Correa, y C. Ganem, “Urban microclimatic modeling for apartment’s thermo-energy simulation in high-rise buildings in Mendoza-Argentina. ENVI-met and EnergyPlus software integration.”, Informes de la Construccion, vol. 73, n.o 561, pp. 1-11, 2021, doi: 10.3989/IC.76749.

[28] Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, Estadísticas climáticas, SMN, [En línea]. Disponible en: https://www.smn.gob.ar/estadisticas [Accedido: 5-dic-2025]

[29] Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM), “IRAM 11603. Acondicionamiento térmico de edificios. Clasificación bioambiental de la República Argentina”, 2011.

[30] Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM), “IRAM 11605. Acondicionamiento térmico de edificios. Condiciones de habitabilidad en edificios”, 1996.

[31] Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM), “IRAM 11601. Aislamiento térmico de edificios. Métodos de cálculo”, 2002.

[32] M. V. Mercado y A. Esteves, “arquitectura sustentable, estudio térmico y técnico económico de la incorporación de aislación termica”, 2005. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344115376_ARQUITECTURA_SUSTENTABLE_ESTUDIO_TERMICO_Y_TECNICO_ECONOMICO_DE_LA_INCORPORACION_DE_AISLACION_TERMICA.

Cover image

How to Cite

Download Citation

Abstract

Downloads

References

Keywords

Licencia