The aim of this project is to diversify and revitalise the Guiana wood industry, while at the same time addressing the local problem of building insulation.

Improving hygrothermal comfort in homes in humid tropical zones to reduce energy consumption linked to air conditioning

French Guiana is facing very strong demographic growth, and most of the buildings to be constructed between now and 2040 (around 120,000 according to INSEE) will be collective social housing for which passive construction solutions, particularly in terms of natural ventilation, are not suitable.
Wood fibre bio-insulation is a promising solution for improving the hygrothermal comfort of homes in humid tropical zones and reducing energy consumption for air conditioning.
The use of residual bioresources that are not recovered by the local wood industry represents a unique opportunity to produce such materials for society, by creating new circularity models within the local industry, without degrading the forest.

PANTHER 2 Guyane : Thermopanels from Residual Wood Resources in French Guiana

Led by UMR Ecofog and in partnership with CTBF Guyane, FRD, USR LEEISA, ETBX, I2M, Institut P’, IMT and LIMBHA – ESB, the PANTHER 2 Guyane project seeks to study the potential of a new local bioeconomy based on the production of high-performance bio-insulators from the valorisation of residual wood resources. The aim is to diversify and revitalise Guiana’s timber industry, while at the same time addressing the local problem of building insulation. The manufacture of these thermal panels is based on a process derived from the textile industry, requiring little binder and light industrial equipment.