The Universitat Politècnica de València on 12 October 2026 presented findings from a study on the durability of acoustic building materials. The study found that composite materials made from recycled and natural fibres retain key performance characteristics for interior acoustics over long periods. interior acoustics. The team at the Campus Gandia compared current measurements with earlier reference data, using identical methods to measure sound absorption and air permeability.
The researchers report as their main finding that many of the material mixtures tested largely retained their sound-absorbing properties and relevant mechanical characteristics. Products with a high proportion of synthetic components performed particularly consistently. At the same time, mixtures containing natural fibres such as cotton, wool, hemp, jute or coconut fibre also maintained viable acoustic performance in many cases. This finding supports the use of recycling streams such as recycled polyester and textile waste in acoustic composites.
The study addresses a practical problem in planning and construction: uncertainty about the long-term performance of alternative insulation and absorber materials. In the authors’ view, the results provide reliable indications for architects and civil engineers choosing more sustainable materials for fit-outs in schools, offices and residential buildings. The researchers also stress that further fire safety tests, life-cycle assessments and trials with industrial partners are still needed before broad market launch and regulatory approval can take place. No forecasts on costs or market effects are given.
Methodologically, the study is based on comparative measurement series for sound absorption and air permeability, which indirectly reflect changes in pore structure and fibre arrangement. Additional microscopic inspections documented that the composite materials were largely intact. No significant degradation was routinely observed. The authors place the findings in the context of European efforts to develop circular building materials, but note that installation conditions, humidity and temperature profiles vary by project and can affect durability.
The results were published in the journal Case Studies in Construction Materials. The link with the region Valencia stems from the development and testing carried out at the Universitat Politècnica de València’s Campus Gandia. For construction projects in the Comunitat Valenciana and beyond, the study provides an empirical basis for targeted integration of recycling-based solutions into interior acoustics.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).