Researchers from CONICET are making progress in Mendoza with an innovative project that aims to produce thermal and acoustic insulating materials from wine industry waste combined with fungal mycelium. The initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector and promote productive models linked to the circular economy.
The work is being carried out with the participation of specialists from the Institute of Environment, Habitat and Energy (INAHE) and is supported by a Mendoza winery that provides vine pruning waste used as raw material. In this way, materials that would normally be discarded acquire a new function within a sustainable process.
Furthermore, the proposal is part of strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting energy transition through the use of renewable resources and low environmental impact technologies.
Ecological alternatives to replace conventional materials
Currently, a large portion of the insulators used in construction, such as expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, fiberglass, or rock wool, require significant amounts of energy for their manufacture and depend on non-renewable resources.
In this scenario, the Mendoza project seeks to develop solutions capable of offering similar performance but with a considerably lower carbon footprint. The research aligns with a global trend that promotes sustainable materials from their production stage to their final application.
Additionally, the scientific team analyzes the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of these biomaterials to ensure they can be efficiently incorporated into modern construction systems and meet the demands of the sector.
How the process based on mycelium and vine waste works
The innovation is based on the controlled growth of mycelium, the vegetative structure of fungi, on biomass from vine prunings. During the process, the mycelium develops a complex network of microscopic filaments that naturally binds the substrate particles.
As a result, a compact block with insulating capacity and structural strength is formed. Additionally, the high presence of lignin in the viticulture waste promotes greater material integrity compared to other similar compounds.
Moreover, laboratory tests have shown that the prototypes exhibit favorable performance in both thermal insulation and sound absorption, while studies continue to optimize their durability and adaptation to real use conditions.
Environmental and productive benefits of the initiative
One of the main contributions of the project is the valorization of agro-industrial waste which, instead of becoming waste, re-enters the productive cycle with a high value-added technological function.
Additionally, these biomaterials help reduce the energy consumption of buildings, decreasing the need for heating and cooling. Consequently, they also help reduce emissions associated with the operation of constructions.
Furthermore, the initiative strengthens the regional economy by generating new opportunities for the utilization of biomass from the viticulture activity, one of the main industries in Mendoza.
Potential for more efficient and circular construction
Specialists believe that these materials could be used in both new buildings and energy rehabilitation projects of existing homes and infrastructures.
While research and refinement work continues, the development is emerging as an alternative capable of integrating innovation, sustainability, and responsible utilization of local resources.
In a context where construction seeks to reduce its environmental impact, the combination of viticulture waste and fungal mycelium emerges as a promising solution to advance towards more efficient, resilient cities aligned with current climate challenges.
