Ecowool has firmly gained popularity and is a natural insulation material made from ordinary cellulose components. The material is lightweight, has a shade of gray color and a fibrous structure.
On sale, ecowool is presented as a weight product, because during production it is not formed into rolls and panels. To achieve a coating without seams, special skills and abilities will be required when working with ecowool.
Specific knowledge, along with professionalism, is highly valued and in great demand in the construction market. Ecowool production can be a profitable investment and a promising business.
general information
Ecowool is a popular type of insulation used for all structural elements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. It can be easily attached to walls, ceilings and roofs. The material is made from more than 80 percent recycled paper. The remaining 20 percent consists of antiseptic and fire retardant. Cellulose insulation looks like a gray fibrous loose mass. Its structure contains lignin, which, when moistened, binds the fibers of the material with the structural elements on which it is attached.
The demand for ecowool is due to the ease of its fastening, harmlessness, and weak flammable properties. The material does not rot under the influence of moisture, has soundproofing properties, and metals in contact with it do not corrode.
The main difference between ecowool and other types of insulation is its appearance. It is produced not in the form of tiles or rolls, but in a scattering of constituent elements. This format makes it easier to attach. To do this, the material must be moistened and sprayed onto the surface using special spray equipment.
In hard-to-reach places in the form of cavities and niches, it is poured dry and then moistened. The versatility of the material lies in the possibility of its use in any conditions in which it is difficult to use other insulation materials. It is especially suitable for complex structures with uneven surfaces.
The main disadvantage of the building material is the difficulty in independently attaching it to the structure.
To create a high-quality coating, you will have to resort to the services of a qualified construction team that has professional equipment at its disposal. However, the versatility of using insulation, the ability to create a smooth surface without seams or voids, and the optimal ratio of cost policy and efficiency of use compensate for the high price of ecowool compared to other insulation materials.
Advantages of ecowool
Ecowool is a confident leader among other thermal insulation materials used to insulate the external structures of residential and non-residential buildings. It owes this to its undeniable advantages, which include:
- 100% environmentally friendly;
- affordable price;
- light weight;
- optimal thermal conductivity and thermal insulation;
- vapor permeability, eliminating the formation of condensation, which can lead to dampness inside the room;
- lack of acid activity, which completely eliminates the risk of corrosion of metal structures in contact with the insulation;
- resistance to ultraviolet radiation and aggressive moisture;
- good sound insulation properties
If ecowool is chosen as insulation, the dry method of applying this thermal insulation material will significantly reduce the time it takes to finish the building and put it into operation. The cladding can be installed directly on the insulation immediately after it has been blown in.
Ecowool production technology
The manufacturing business can be implemented at any planned capacity. It can be launched in large factories, and also organized in garage conditions. The main raw material is waste paper. The quality of the finished product and its specific properties are imparted by a fire retardant and antistatic agent.
Do-it-yourself ecowool production is carried out in several stages. Initially, you need to prepare for the production process. Recycled paper should be bagged and cardboard, folders and clips that are not suitable for recycling should be separated. The selected paper must be loaded into the conveyor for shredding and mixing. During magnetic processing, metal elements in the form of staples, paper clips and other office supplies are removed from the resulting mixture.
Drying the finished product
The remaining mass is re-passed through the conveyor to reduce the constituent fractions, after which it is placed in a tank. After adding boric acid and an antiseptic, the mixture is mixed and transferred to a dispersant to form fibers. It continues the grinding procedure to fractions of 5 mm. At the same time, the concentration of boric acid gradually increases. This entire cycle is automated and takes no more than 10 minutes.
Does Ecowool burn?
The official name of the borax contained in Ecowool is sodium tetraborate.
This substance belongs to the so-called group. flame retardants - fire retardant impregnations. Each molecule can include up to 10 water molecules (the so-called crystalline hydrate).
When heated, they are released and turn into water, which prevents fire. Thanks to this, Ecowool has the ability to withstand open flames for a long time.
The flammability group may differ for different brands. The following indicators are considered the best:
- according to GOST 30244: G2 (moderately flammable);
- according to DIN 4102 and GOST 30402: B2 (moderately flammable);
- according to GOST 12.1.044: D2 (moderately smoke-generating).
Ecowool smoke, unlike polymer insulation, such as polystyrene foam, is not toxic.
Unprofessional production
The building material can be made by craftsmen with their own hands. Due to the lack of a presentation and appropriate packaging, it cannot be put up for sale, but it can be successfully used for personal purposes, since the functional characteristics, if the technology is followed, will correspond to the parameters of the original insulation.
To make insulation you will need waste paper, a recyclables shredder and auxiliary components.
It is easy to make a shredder yourself by upgrading an old washing machine. It works on the principle of a coffee grinder, so by equipping the equipment with knives, you can bring the resulting mass closer to the size of the fractions corresponding to the technology. While mixing the mixture, you need to add 12 percent boric acid and 7 percent borax. The mass must be dried with a fan, while constantly fluffing it. The finished product is placed in briquettes for storage or can be used immediately.
Independent creation of ecowool
The following tips and explanations will allow you to better understand the mechanisms of creating ecowool not in a large-scale industry, but at home yourself.
The process of creating ecowool is quite simple and does not require any super-high investments. It can be recreated in the conditions of individual home production, thereby creating a small profitable business. The basis of everything is the processing of secondary raw materials. So first you will need this very secondary raw material - waste paper, and equipment for crushing and processing this raw material. Equipment for recycling waste paper works on a similar principle to a coffee grinder.
Some experienced eco-washers recommend using an old activator washing machine as a grinding machine.
Room
The format of the premises is determined by the planned capacity of the production workshop.
If a business representative is focused on long-term work, then he needs to take a serious approach to choosing the location of the production territory. When analyzing its parameters, do not forget that you will have to obtain permission to start work from the regulatory authorities of the SES and the fire inspectorate, which is impossible without bringing the premises into an appropriate condition and performing a number of organizational tasks. Its area must be at least 150 square meters with the possibility of dividing it into compartments and connecting all types of utilities.
Starting a business will be cheaper if all this is already present in the premises. Its third part must be allocated for a workshop in which the production line will be located. Throughout the rest of the territory there will be a storage compartment and auxiliary premises for personnel accommodation, a room for meals and sanitary facilities.
Disadvantages of ecowool
The material does not have any significant disadvantages. The only disadvantage when working with ecowool is the need to use special expensive equipment and qualified labor.
Also, some impatient homeowners consider the long drying time of the material to be a disadvantage.
As mentioned earlier, the main element of ecowool is cellulose fiber, which is made from waste paper. Following logic, the material should ignite instantly when exposed to high temperatures. However, it practically does not burn. This is explained by the special properties of borax, which is part of its composition. Borax is a crystalline hydrate, that is, one crystal contains up to 10 water molecules. Thus, when a fire occurs, the fire heats the material, water molecules are released, preventing further spread of the flame. A popular thermal insulation material, polystyrene foam does not have such properties and, as practice shows, when exposed to high temperatures, it flares up like a match.
Raw material base
The basic raw material in the production of eco-insulation is waste paper. Cardboard and paper waste can be remnants of printed products, corrugated packaging, and various scraps. It is worth noting that newspapers are low-quality raw materials, which is explained by their heterogeneity and the presence of harmful impurities, therefore, focusing on a high-quality final product, they are not used in the production process.
Raw materials are purchased from enterprises whose production cycle involves the generation of paper waste. For this reason, entrepreneurs often look for workshop space close to the source of procurement of raw materials, since this approach will help save on transportation costs.
Installations for installation of ecowool
Blow molding plants Uralekomash, Russia
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| Uralekomaster-700 | Uralekomaster-700 Mini | Uralekomaster-1100 | Uralekomaster-650 |
Blow molding plants Cool Machines (Cool Machines), USA
| Cool Machines CM-700 | Cool Machines CM-1500 |
Blowing units Accu 1 (AccuVan), USA
| Accu1 9118 | Accu1 9218 | Accu1 9218CE | Accu1 9300 |
Blowing installations X-Floc (X Flock), Germany
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| EM100 | Minifant M99 (Minifant M99) | Zellofant M95 (Zellofant M95) |
Accessories
| Kits for wet application of ecowool | Hoses for ecowool | Nozzles, connectors, etc. |
Our company is a representative of leading domestic and foreign manufacturers of blow molding equipment for ecowool:
UralEkoMash (Russia)
Cool Machines, Inc (Cool Machines, USA)
Accu1Direct, Inc (AccuVan, USA)
X-Floc (X-Flock, Germany)
Blow molding units produced by these brands are distinguished by high performance indicators, as well as exceptional reliability in operation. This equipment is considered optimal for performing thermal insulation work using cellulose insulation Ecowool.
Close cooperation with blow molding equipment manufacturers allows us to provide a full range of consulting services. We will help with the choice of equipment that fully corresponds to the tasks being solved. If the need arises, we will conduct trainings with operators of client companies to teach all the features of operating the equipment.
The speed and quality of insulation work depends on the quality of the blow molding equipment used. The use of professional installations eliminates problems when installing ecowool, and can also serve as a guarantee of a long service life of the insulation without deteriorating its functional characteristics.
The blow molding machines Uralekomaster, Cool Machines, Accu1 and X-Floc, offered by our company in a wide variety of models and modifications, are distinguished by their long service life and operational reliability. The high performance indicators of this equipment allow you to recoup the funds spent within 2-3 months. An additional advantage is the warranty from the manufacturer.
As a clear example, we can cite the performance indicators of the Uralekomaster-700 blowing installation. Its use allows you to install more than 15 tons of insulation per week! Combined with the mandatory 12-month manufacturer's warranty, this provides a compelling argument in favor of purchasing the equipment.
Cool Machines blow molding equipment, manufactured by Cool Machines, Inc., is characterized by the highest quality at a very reasonable cost. Reliable and easy-to-use installations are ideally adapted to work in our conditions. The quick payback of Cool Machines equipment is also one of the obvious advantages.
By contacting the services of our company, you will be able to evaluate the functionality of blow molding equipment, as well as receive comprehensive information about the technical characteristics and operating features of the installations.
We are always ready to answer any questions you may have and help you choose a specific model.
Equipment
Equipment for the production of ecowool, its list, type and models are determined by the planned scale of the business, as well as the type of target consumer. At home, with production of up to 100 kilograms of products per cycle, the necessary equipment can be made from improvised means, since in fact it does not have a complex design and combined functionality.
Application of ecowool
When planning the professional production of goods in large volumes, an entrepreneur should think about purchasing an assembled production line or forming it from separate machines. The business plan for ecowool production must include the costs of purchasing equipment:
- shruder, designed to provide work on grinding the original raw material and converting it into a homogeneous mass;
- scraper-type conveyor for moving prepared raw materials between bins;
- dispensers that allow you to add additional elements in a certain amount to the raw material to give the finished product properties in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documentation;
- dispersant - equipment, using the functionality of which the mixture is crushed to fractions of specified sizes, separated from the remaining liquid phase and dried;
- powerful industrial fan for fluffing and drying;
- packer for plastic bags.
It is more profitable to purchase equipment in an assembled production line. The lowest cost of the complex is 1,200,000 rubles. The disadvantage of such an acquisition is that the price of the line does not depend on its capacity and on the parameter of the maximum possible output of the finished product. Another disadvantage of buying a line is the high cost of its optimal version, which costs from 5,000,000 rubles.
Process line
If for a business representative the production process is an additional source of income, and his main activity is the organization and execution of construction work, then he will need to purchase additional equipment and a number of devices to ensure and simplify the process of installing wool to the structure. You can also purchase blow molding machines, with which you can organize a production cycle directly at the construction site.
Ways to optimize costs
The full power of the equipment will not be used in the first year. Therefore, purchase equipment for the production of ecowool that is simpler. In the future, business development will make it possible to sell it without any problems and purchase more powerful units.
A profitable option is to combine production and construction business. In this case, it is possible to provide comprehensive services for the installation of insulation. To do this, you will need blowing installations and a barrel for wet spraying. One of the options for earning extra money is to rent out such equipment.
An industrial line for the production of ecowool can also be used to produce eco-boards, briquettes, and pellets. For these purposes, about 500,000 rubles will need to be invested in additional installations.
Market promotion
Ecowool production claims to be a profitable business, but its success depends not only on proper organization, but also on the well-established market for the finished product.
To give business stability, it is recommended to enter into contracts for the regular supply of products, which may be of interest to construction companies. Due to wholesale and constant supplies, they can be offered a reduced cost for products that are harmoniously combined with high quality characteristics. Additionally, it is recommended to launch an advertising campaign that will help you stand out among competitors and take a leading position in the ranking. A rational solution would be to place an order for the development of an online store. Through it you can realize both wholesale and retail sales. A large enterprise can make itself known through advertising placed on big doors along the route. It is important for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to distribute leaflets and flyers with promotions and discounts.
Do-it-yourself ecowool production using industrial equipment
Business in the production of ecowool is a very profitable business, because the technology of its production does not require any expensive tools. However, despite this, your starting capital should be at least 1.5-2.5 million rubles. Only in this case will this business be truly profitable. Remember that your products must undergo appropriate certification.
After this, the market for your ecowool will expand significantly, and you will have every chance of profit.
