4.3

Hemp and Wool: Bio-Based Insulation Materials

When considering bio-based insulation, specifically solutions utilizing hemp and wool, the story is similar to that of organic cotton. These materials are clearly a better, more sustainable alternative, yet currently, only about one percent of the global insulation market originates from bio-based solutions.

Global insulation production value is estimated near 58.7 billion USD annually (2024), driven by construction and energy efficiency. Hemp and sheep wool insulation constitute a small but growing segment within the bio-based insulation market, which was valued at an estimated 563 USD million (2024). Wool insulation often accounts for approximately 30 percent of this bio-based volume. Exact global production volumes for hemp insulation remain minor relative to conventional materials.

The video below compares hemp wool and sheep wool insulation, examining their manufacturing, pricing, R-values (higher R-value means greater insulation effectiveness), dimensional stability, installation, and fire resistance. Both are sustainable alternatives, though hemp wool showed fire concerns and sheep wool had less stability.

Cost and Sustainability Comparison in the Swedish Context

The cost comparison reveals that hemp and natural sheep’s wool insulation are typically more expensive in Sweden than conventional mineral wool (glass or rock wool). Swedish studies show hemp fiber insulation can be approximately 20 percent higher in initial material cost than glass wool. This premium reflects the bio-based options’ superior sustainability profiles, lower embodied carbon, better moisture-managing (hygroscopic) properties, and easier, safer handling during installation.

Further reading, learning and references

IMARC Group – Insulation Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Material Type, Function, Form, End Use Industry, and Region, 2025-2033 https://www.imarcgroup.com/insulation-market

GIS – Bio Based Insulation Materials Market https://www.globalinsightservices.com/reports/bio-based-insulation-materials-market/

Karlsmo, S. (2022). Life Cycle Environmental and Cost Analysis of Building Insulated with Hemp Fibre Compared to Alternative Conventional Insulations – a Swedish Case Study. Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering. Vol. 30 No. 1 https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.30.1.30357

© Daniel Mossberg, CEMUS, Uppsala University and Sonali Phadke, studio Alternatives and Stephanie Foote