Heraklith® helps improve animal welfare

Wood wool panels have been used for several decades to provide acoustic and thermal insulation in stables, chicken farms and pigsties. The sound absorption properties of wood wool help reduce noise inside the premises as well as in the surrounding environment, which sometimes includes nearby residential areas. Wood wool panels also serve to filter dust in the fresh air system.

Heraklith® is taking part in a research programme carried out by the training and research centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein, part of the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism of Austria (Bundesministerium für Nachhaltigkeit und Tourismus). This annual research project, taking place over several years, assesses building materials under real farm conditions to gauge their effects on animal welfare and farm productivity.

One of the main conclusions from the research carried out so far, is the importance of even and smooth airflow distribution inside the premises where animals are stabled. Improved ventilation reduces the risk of animals becoming ill, thus saving medical costs. It also makes animals more comfortable in their indoor environment and it has a positive effect on their growth rate. 

 “This research programme is giving us a better understanding of the benefits animals and farmers can get from the right choice of building materials,” says Carlos Nicolas, Heraklith Sales & Marketing Director. “Being able to show the positive effect wood wool panels have on animal well-being and improving farm economics gives customers confidence when choosing Heraklith Agro panels for their facilities,” he adds.

For more information, please contact your local Heraklith Sales representative and visit www.raumberg-gumpenstein.at