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Product Basics

EcoCocon is a prefabricated structural wall panel system made of 98% natural, renewable materials — compressed straw insulation within a twin-stud timber frame, precision-manufactured to custom dimensions.

The EcoCocon® Straw Panel is a load-bearing twin-stud timber frame panel with homogeneous straw infill for thermal insulation, designed for constructing high-performance, energy-efficient external walls. Each panel is custom-made to fit the architectural design. Panel types include standard panels, braced panels, lintels, sills, columns, inclined, and inclined-braced gable wall elements.

The EcoCocon® Wall System consists of panels assembled into a wall, with additional layers applied to panels. An integral part of the system is achieving airtightness while maintaining vapour permeability on the exterior and selecting the appropriate wall build-up to meet the required fire, thermal, and acoustic performance. EcoCocon wall build-ups include various tested combinations of layers and finishes applied to the EcoCocon Straw Panel, offering different fire ratings, thermal performance, and design solutions.

Unlike many conventional wall systems, EcoCocon uses densely compressed straw with no added binders or additives as its primary insulation material. Straw is an annually renewable by-product of agriculture, combined with a structural timber frame to create a modern prefabricated wall system. The straw and timber store biogenic carbon during their use in the building, as documented in the EcoCocon EPD. Straw’s hollow cellular structure traps air, contributing to its thermal insulation performance. In EcoCocon panels, the compressed straw insulation achieves a tested thermal conductivity of approximately λ = 0.053–0.060 W/m·K.*

*Slovak Technical Assessment SK-TP – 25/0007 - V02

EcoCocon panels are made from just four materials: compressed wheat straw, C24 structural timber, birch plywood, and screws. Whenever possible, we source these materials close to our production. The straw is sourced from farms within 40 km of our factory, while the structural timber is PEFC-certified, or FSC® Mix Credit panels are available upon request. This ensures it comes from sustainably managed forests. Keeping the panel composition to just four materials makes the system simple and transparent.

EcoCocon panels are manufactured at our automated production facility in Voderady, Slovakia. Our factory is the first of its kind, combining one of the world's oldest building materials with state-of-the-art automation and precision manufacturing. It is the first step towards our vision of a network of local production centres across Europe.

Yes. EcoCocon panels are suitable for low-rise and also for multi-storey construction when used as part of an appropriate structural design. In taller buildings, they are commonly combined with CLT, glulam, steel, or concrete structures as high-performance facade infill elements (further design guidance is available in the Designer Guide.) Because multi-storey buildings have stricter safety codes, note that while the base panel offers 45 minutes of fire resistance, additional internal and external layers and finishes can be applied to the wall build-up to further increase fire resistance for taller projects.

Contrary to popular belief, straw and timber buildings can perform very well in fire. The straw in EcoCocon panels is compressed to a density of approximately 110 kg/m³ (6.12–7.93 lb/ft³), limiting the airflow available to support combustion. Straw also naturally contains silica, which may contribute to its thermal stability and behaviour when exposed to fire. When timber is exposed to fire, a protective char layer forms on its surface and slows further burning. EcoCocon panels have undergone extensive fire testing across a range of wall assemblies, finishes, and fire-performance classifications. Depending on the tested wall build-up, the system can achieve fire resistance ratings of up to REI 120. The final wall assembly must be specified to meet the applicable fire-safety requirements and local building regulations. For detailed performance data, please refer to the Classification of Fire Resistance document.

Myth: Straw walls will easily rot or develop mould from trapped moisture.

Fact: EcoCocon uses a vapour-open wall design combined with airtight construction to manage moisture. An airtight external breather membrane limits the movement of warm, moist indoor air into the wall while allowing vapour to diffuse, helping reduce the risk of condensation within the structure. To assess the suitability of a wall assembly for specific climatic and project conditions, project teams can use hygrothermal simulations such as WUFI.

Myth: Natural straw construction attracts mice, insects, and other pests.

Fact: Not really. Properly detailed EcoCocon walls do not provide open cavities for nesting. The straw in them is dry, de-dusted, and almost free from grain residues. It is densely compressed, and enclosed within the wall assembly. Termites usually have no particular interest in straw. Standard protective measures should be taken in areas where they are active. Although rare, booklice can appear in straw buildings after clay plaster is applied. These tiny insects sometimes multiply under high relative humidity and typically disappear on their own within a matter of weeks.

EcoCocon provides a standard manufacturer’s 25-year warranty on straw insulation and a 50-year warranty on structural integrity, subject to correct handling, installation, and maintenance. Straw insulation has also been used in buildings that have remained in good condition for many decades.

EcoCocon walls provide thermal performance suitable for low-energy and Passive House projects. The tested thermal conductivity of the compressed straw insulation is approximately λ = 0.053–0.060 W/m·K. The system is designed to minimise thermal bridges and facilitate airtight construction, helping reduce heating and cooling demand while maintaining indoor comfort. You can calculate the thermal performance of different wall build-ups using our U-value Calculator.

EcoCocon panels are custom-manufactured to specific project requirements, allowing architects to create a wide variety of building forms and facade solutions. As with any prefabricated system, the most cost-efficient projects consider the overall form, openings, and assembly requirements early in the design process. The architectural design remains yours; we help ensure that the panel system can be manufactured efficiently and specified to meet the project requirements.

Yes. EcoCocon enables BIM-based coordination through IFC model exchange. Architects can provide 3D models or wall outlines for panel development. EcoCocon then returns a coordinated IFC model for design review, project coordination, manufacturing, and installation planning. Standard BIM workflows are compatible with Revit, ArchiCAD, and similar CAD systems.

For software-specific support: Revit users receive ready-made wall build-ups, and ArchiCAD wall build-ups can be set up using standard tools. Technical details, guides, and ongoing support are available throughout the process to help architects and builders make informed decisions and streamline execution.

The best starting point is to contact your local Technical Sales Consultant with your project information. If you already have drawings, we can provide a non-binding estimate. We also provide technical resources, design guidance, and support throughout the design and construction process to help your team work efficiently with the system.

EcoCocon panels are precision-manufactured for efficient installation. On smaller projects, an experienced team can typically install up to 60 m² of panels per day, although the actual speed depends on the building design, site conditions, lifting equipment, and the construction team's experience. For larger or more repetitive projects, a contractor or prefabrication partner can pre-assemble the panels with additional wall layers into larger wall elements in a controlled environment. These elements are then transported to site and installed quickly and safely using a crane, reducing on-site work and helping shorten the overall construction timeline.

Not necessarily. Builders experienced in timber-frame construction can generally install EcoCocon panels using standard tools and equipment, supported by the technical documentation and Assembly Guide available in our Downloads section. However, we recommend working with an EcoCocon-certified builder whenever possible. We are continuously expanding our network of certified builders, and your local Technical Sales Consultant can provide information about available partners in your country, including those not yet listed on our website.

According to our EPD, the straw and timber in EcoCocon panels contain biogenic carbon equivalent to approximately 115.5 kg of CO₂ per square metre of wall area. This corresponds to approximately 31.5 kg of carbon per square metre. The figure should be considered as part of a complete life-cycle assessment, including the product’s end-of-life scenario.

Transport contributes to the overall environmental footprint of any construction product. Its impact depends on the delivery distance and logistics. For individual projects, transport emissions can be calculated based on the delivery distance and included in the overall carbon assessment.

Yes. EcoCocon panels in combination with the breather membrane and external wood fibre board layer constitute a certified Passive House component and are widely used in projects targeting high energy efficiency and low operational energy demand. When incorporated into an appropriate building design, the system can help projects achieve Passive House performance requirements.