TURK 2025

The use of organic waste as an insulation material is an innovative approach that can solve both environmental and resource-saving problems. Agricultural by-products, food scraps, and natural fibers, among other organic waste, can be reused to develop sustainable insulation solutions.
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential for recycling peanut shell waste by developing a thermal insulation material using a composite resin with peanut shells added as a filler. The reinforcing effectiveness of natural fillers is influenced not only by their geometry but also by their chemical composition, including the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, proteins, and lipids. These components affect the material's degradation, hardness, rigidity, and adhesion to the chosen polymers. Therefore, chemical properties such as moisture content, fat content, fiber content and ash content are the most important factors to be considered and were determined as 5%, 1.8 %, 60%, 0.96%, respectively.
In this study, an insulating material was developed using crushed peanut shells, textile waste, and urea-formaldehyde resin. The prepared samples were tested in the laboratory to assess their thermal insulation, moisture resistance, and soundproofing properties. The results indicated that the material has low thermal conductivity, excellent moisture resistance, and effective noise insulation, making it a promising option for construction and building insulation applications.
Thus, the conducted research demonstrates the significant potential of peanut shells and other waste materials in the production of eco-friendly insulation materials. This approach not only contributes to waste reduction but also supports the development of cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable solutions suited to local needs.