A run-down of the comparitive advantages

Of different insulation types http://www.ais-group.com.au/homeinsulation/

Glasswool batts

• Insulco Fatt Batts – AIS is the major supply and install distributor for this Insulco insulation product (made by Tasman Insulation)
• We offer a complete range of R Values (R1.5 – R5.0) and different width batts (430, 580 & 600mm) to suit every application
• We also supply other popular brands of batts upon request
• Glasswool batts have guaranteed R Values, are fire safe and proven by extensive research to be health safe, (classified under Worksafe Australia criteria as non-carcinogenic)
• Whilst being simple to install batts are usually itchy to the skin
• A large percentage of the product is consists of recycled glass.

Rockwool batts

• Rockwool batts are the premium insulation product. The basic raw materials are a mixture of volcanic rocks making the product the only home insulation material that is non-combustible to Australian Standard 1530 Part 1. These batts are approximately 4 times the density of Glasswool batts giving superior acoustic insulation performance
• Rockwool batts have guaranteed R Values, are fire safe and proven by extensive research to be health safe
• Whilst Rockwools’ greater density provides unique benefits, it also means it can not be compressed, therefore transport costs make it a more expensive home insulation product

Polyester batts

• Limited range of R Values and different widths
• AIS offers Insulco Thermoblue polyester and other brands
• The maximum R Value available is R3.0. This is because the nature of the fibres makes it difficult to achieve high R Value batts and blankets
• Polyester does not cause any itchiness when being installed. However, it is difficult to cut to size.
  

Sheepswool batts

• Limited range of R Values and different widths
• The maximum R Value available is R3.0. As with polyester, this is because the nature of the fibres makes it difficult to achieve high R Value batts and blankets
• Sheepswool is a user-friendly material
• The wool needs to be completely scoured (cleaned) of all the natural sheep lanolin and oils. Correct application of a pesticide chemical, (Mitin FF or Vantoc CC30,) to the wool is important for a hassle free purchase long term

Polystyrene

• This product is offered for specialist applications, including suspended ceilings raked ceiling and sheds.
  

A fantastic collection of useful links

http://www.icanz.org.au/resources/glossary/

Wool prospects — supply 2008

They do mention that supply is likely to exceed demand post-2008:

http://www.abare.gov.au/corporate/media/2008_releases/OL08_d19_mar08.html

Weaknesses as identified by US glass fibre producers

The Future

The fiberglass industry faces some major challenges over the rest of the 1990s and beyond. The number of producers of fiberglass insulation has increased due to American subsidiaries of foreign companies and improvements in productivity by U.S. manufacturers. This has resulted in excess capacity, which the current and perhaps future market cannot accommodate.

In addition to excess capacity, other insulation materials will compete. Rock wool has become widely used because of recent process and product improvements. Foam insulation is another alternative to fiberglass in residential walls and commercial roofs. Another competing material is cellulose, which is used in attic insulation.

Because of the low demand for insulation due to a soft housing market, consumers are demanding lower prices. This demand is also a result of the continued trend in consolidation of retailers and contractors. In response, the fiberglass insulation industry will have to continue to cut costs in two major areas: energy and environment. More efficient furnaces will have to be used that do not rely on only one source of energy.

With landfills reaching maximum capacity, fiberglass manufacturers will have to achieve nearly zero output on solid waste without increasing costs. This will require improving manufacturing processes to reduce waste (for liquid and gas waste as well) and reusing waste wherever possible.

Such waste may require reprocessing and remelting before reusing as a raw material. Several manufacturers are already addressing these issues.