istraw is a German manufacturer specialising in building materials made from straw. Straw is used as a widely available agricultural by-product, sourced regionally where possible, and processed into construction materials designed to store biogenic carbon and reduce embodied energy.
The product portfolio includes blown-in insulation (istraw.blow), compressed straw building panels (istraw.panels) and straw-based MDF boards (istraw.mdf), as well as plant technology for the production of straw construction materials.
istraw.panels are self-supporting boards made from highly compressed straw without added binders. The straw fibres are densified through an extrusion process, with the material’s natural lignins acting as the binding agent. The core is laminated with hydrophobic recycled cardboard, allowing the panels to be finished with common surface treatments such as plaster, paint or tiles. The boards are typically 38 mm thick and 800 mm wide, with custom lengths available. They are installed in a similar manner to plasterboard, fixed to a substructure and jointed with a clay-based adhesive. The panels are intended for interior dry construction, including walls, ceilings and partition systems, and are described as providing acoustic benefits and improved indoor climate performance.
istraw.blow is a loose-fill insulation made from 100% straw without residual grain content or added chemical flame retardants. The material is installed using standard blowing equipment and can be applied in roof, wall and ceiling cavities. Technical data include a specific density of 90–105 kg/m³, thermal conductivity from 0.043 W/mK, specific heat capacity of 2100 J/kg and flammability class E. Fire resistance is achieved through material density and the natural mineral content of straw. The product is certified under ETA 22/0233 and is designed to create seamless, settlement-resistant insulation layers.
istraw.mdf panels are straw-based fibreboards bonded with solvent-free, emission-free adhesives. The boards are intended for furniture production, interior construction and industrial applications. By replacing conventional wood fibres with straw and eliminating formaldehyde-based binders, the product is positioned as a low-emission alternative to standard MDF. Production capacity is reported at up to 100,000 m² per month.
In addition to material products, istraw develops and supplies plant technology for partners producing straw-based construction materials. The company positions straw as a renewable raw material with low primary energy demand and potential carbon storage benefits within building systems.
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