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Eco-Friendly Sandwich Panels for Energy-Efficient Façades

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  • Susana P. B. Sousa

    (INEGI—Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    LAETA—Associated Laboratory of Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Helena C. Teixeira

    (INEGI—Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Giorgia Autretto

    (Technology Energy Building Environment (TEBE) Research Group, Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Valeria Villamil Cárdenas

    (Technology Energy Building Environment (TEBE) Research Group, Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Stefano Fantucci

    (Technology Energy Building Environment (TEBE) Research Group, Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Fabio Favoino

    (Technology Energy Building Environment (TEBE) Research Group, Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Pamela Voigt

    (Faculty of Engineering, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig (HTWK Leipzig), Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 132, 04277 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Mario Stelzmann

    (Faculty of Engineering, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig (HTWK Leipzig), Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 132, 04277 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Robert Böhm

    (Faculty of Engineering, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig (HTWK Leipzig), Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 132, 04277 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Gabriel Beltrán

    (Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón—ITA, Materials and Components Division, C/María de Luna 7-8, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Nicolás Escribano

    (Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón—ITA, Materials and Components Division, C/María de Luna 7-8, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Belén Hernández-Gascón

    (Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón—ITA, Materials and Components Division, C/María de Luna 7-8, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Matthias Tietze

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Concrete Structures, Technische Universitat Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany)

  • Andreia Araújo

    (INEGI—Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    LAETA—Associated Laboratory of Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

To meet the European Green Deal targets, the construction sector must improve building thermal performance via advanced insulation systems. Eco-friendly sandwich panels offer a promising solution. Therefore, this work aims to develop and validate a new eco-friendly composite sandwich panel (basalt fibres and recycled extruded polystyrene) with enhanced multifunctionality for lightweight and energy-efficient building façades. Two panels were produced via vacuum infusion—a reference panel and a multifunctional panel incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) and silica aerogels (AGs). Their performance was evaluated through lab-based thermal and acoustic tests, numerical simulations, and on-site monitoring in a living laboratory. The test results from all methods were consistent. The PCM-AG panel showed 16% lower periodic thermal transmittance (0.16 W/(m 2 K) vs. 0.19 W/(m 2 K)) and a 92% longer time shift (4.26 h vs. 2.22 h), indicating improved thermal inertia. It also achieved a single-number sound insulation rating of 38 dB. These findings confirm the panel’s potential to reduce operational energy demand and support long-term climate goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Susana P. B. Sousa & Helena C. Teixeira & Giorgia Autretto & Valeria Villamil Cárdenas & Stefano Fantucci & Fabio Favoino & Pamela Voigt & Mario Stelzmann & Robert Böhm & Gabriel Beltrán & Nicolás Esc, 2025. "Eco-Friendly Sandwich Panels for Energy-Efficient Façades," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6848-:d:1711693
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