Design of Bio-Based, Super-Insulating Textile Structures Adapted to Canadian Winter Conditions

PROJECT COST:

846 528 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

378 528 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

Many workers in Quebec and across Canada—including Hydro-Québec lineworkers, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and postal service employees—are routinely exposed to extreme cold and severe wind-induced thermal stress. However, the thermal performance of currently available insulating materials is assessed under laboratory conditions prescribed by the ISO 11092 standard, which fail to adequately replicate real-world environmental exposure. Preliminary studies indicate that wind—an influential factor not currently considered in this standard—together with ambient temperature and relative humidity, plays a critical role in the degradation of thermal insulation performance, particularly through the compression and structural collapse of insulating layers.

The primary objective of this project is to develop highly efficient textile insulation assemblies specifically engineered for cold and windy environments. These assemblies, composed exclusively of bio-based fibers and advanced functional materials such as aerogels, must satisfy stringent performance criteria, including the preservation of thermal efficiency and structural integrity under high wind loads. This key performance parameter is not presently incorporated into standardized methodologies for evaluating textile thermal insulation. Furthermore, the project aims to contribute to the revision of ISO 11092, which is currently ill-adapted to the severe climatic conditions characteristic of Canadian winters.

The industrial partners, Eko-Terre and Logistik Unicorp, will benefit from new market opportunities in the technical textiles sector and gain a competitive advantage by offering next-generation materials with enhanced and more reliable thermal insulation performance. For Quebec, the anticipated outcomes include strengthened research and development capacities among participating partners, support for job creation, and increased leadership in advanced materials innovation. In addition, the project will promote the active involvement of Quebec-based researchers in the revision and development of international standards.