I see B&Q are selling this stuff, saw it on telly tonight. Made from 85% recycled plastic bottles, don't know what the other 15% is. It's cheap though, and claims the same performance as fibre glass, but no itching.
Found the website at http://www.eco-wool.co.uk/ and found this as well: http://thegreenguy.typepad.com/thegreenguy/2007/10/my-fling-with-e.html

There's a technical pdf available on the website, page 4 lists the specs and which tests have been done.

What's the story? Is it any good?

It's nice to know that someone has found a use for all the bottles we throw away but the 'technical information' is a bit thin. Nothing about fire resistance?

Yes, it says, "Fire Test BS 5083-4 = Passed". I've no idea what that is. A little googling only associated 5083 with a standard for aluminium alloy, so that doesn't sound right.

My first thought is that stuffing one's attic with fluffy pastic is not going to increase one's fire safety. Glass wool does not burn and attacking Thermafleece even with a blow torch doesn't produce a self-sustaining fire, just a slow charring.

Ah yes. I never was any good at anagrams.

I saw this too1 but a quick calculation showed the thermafleece and loose warmcel combo we used was actually cheaper!

biffvernon Said "but the 'technical information' is a bit thin. Nothing about fire resistance?",

biff, not only is Eco-wool fully certified (including fire) to meet UK and indeed European requirments, it also carries EEC (cert scheme) funding and EST approval.

Outside of this, every 1000 kg of PET Bottle we recycle saves 1500kg of carbon in our atmosphere, (Figure supplied by WRAP)

you will be pleased to know that the product does not propogate flame and when source is removed the product extinguishes so blow torch away Mike.

Every roll of Eco-wool produced using recycled material saves enough enrgy to power a 60w light bulb for nearly 300 hours, this is before it is installed when it continues to save energy and reduce our carbon impact on the enviroment.

Posted By: Tony Reedbiffvernon Said "but the 'technical information' is a bit thin. Nothing about fire resistance?",

biff, not only is Eco-wool fully certified (including fire) to meet UK and indeed European requirments, it also carries EEC (cert scheme) funding and EST approval.

Outside of this, every 1000 kg of PET Bottle we recycle saves 1500kg of carbon in our atmosphere, (Figure supplied by WRAP)

you will be pleased to know that the product does not propogate flame and when source is removed the product extinguishes so blow torch away Mike.

Every roll of Eco-wool produced using recycled material saves enough enrgy to power a 60w light bulb for nearly 300 hours, this is before it is installed when it continues to save energy and reduce our carbon impact on the enviroment.

Hi Tony, Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on producing this product. [I was joking about the blowtorch by the way] It is obvious that the material would not be acceptable for use if it were in any way flamable. My one question is regarding cost. How does it compare to other insulations of the same ilk?

Mike

Cost is within range of the alternative space blanket product, 50p more per roll to be exact,
we have tried to keep it as close as possible but it is a very expensive process to produce and fortunatley the usp's allow a little premium.

hope the focus product is sheeps wool Blue as there is a patent pending on Eco-wool


Tony

Off to B&Q then to have a closer look

Got this from the ''Green Guy'' web-site referred to above:
''Hi Guys
It seems that we have been a little short with the information on our packaging re: the other 15%, I can confirm that the other 15% is not mineral fibre and is identical in nature to the recycled material, however it is not recycled bottles.

The thermal value of 0.425 means that it is slightly better that the loft glass vibre such as space blanket. Eco-Wool just doesnt itch.

Tony Reed''

Does ''identical in nature to the recycled material, however it is not recycled bottles'' mean that the ''other 15%'' is recycled some other plastic (in which case surely the packaging would say ''100% recycled plastic'', or does it mean it's 15% 'virgin' plastic? The latter, I guess.

Nick

YBS Insulation

Just been out to B&Q, bought one roll of Eco-Wool to check it out, and I was right, you get two for one at the moment on all B&Q insulation. It comes in 200mm and 150mm rolls, but my 200mm roll is actually just 2 x 100mm thicknesses. It comes out the pack compressed to around 120mm, but apparently expands over 24 hours to the full 200mm. You can kind of fluff it up a bit by hand. Cuts pretty easily with sharp scissors or a knife, and is very pleasant to handle, no irritation or dust. It feels very warm - it's kind of like polyester duvet filling but a bit denser. If it works as it's supposed to, I think it's a total winner.

Just a note that the '2 for 1' is on roll insulation. It does not apply to Thermafleece or hemp, though B & Q told me that 'the offer might be extended in the next 8 weeks or so'.

As a stockist of Thermafleece I'll be quite happy if you don't see it!! On the other hand as a 'gospel-spreader' for geeen building I'm delighted! Delighted, but poor!

Nick

Don't see why not, I only wish it was available in wider rolls, I'm having to butt joint it a lot to fit my rather oddly spaced joists. It is a joy to work with though.

My new B&Q is also stocking Megaman bulbs now, but not the dimmable variety unfortunately.

It's great to see some progress being made with the big DIY sheds selling eco products. Must mean that your average Joe is beginning to make the right purchasing decisions.

''Under-patio heating would require a lower flow temperature and must therefore be kinder to the environment''. Discuss. ; )