What is Akotherm Polyester Wool?

The history of Akotherm polyester wool
Our Dutch parent company, Merford, was the first company to introduce a refined form of polyester wool to the acoustics industry. The Akotherm brand was launched as an alternative to traditional mineral wool and glass wool. Akotherm polyester wool products have excellent thermal insulation and sound absorbing properties. The name Akotherm is combination of the Dutch word 'Akoestiek', which means Acoustics, and the word Thermally. Polyester wool with densities higher than 80 kg/m³ is also called PET Felt.

The first types of Akotherm were very basic and wooly sheets of polyester wool, with a density of about 20 kg/m³. Nowadays we offer the Akotherm products in numerous variants, compositions and higher densities. Akotherm polyester wool has evolved into one of the most applicable products in our range of acoustic materials. The Akotherm polyester wool product range can offer solutions for all sorts of acoustic challenges and multiple acoustic applications.

Most common ones are, production of acoustic panels, as an acoustic filling. Cavity filling for the insulation of walls, floors or ceilings, but also for the insulation of campervans, pleasure crafts and ships for instance. We also manufacture acoustic panels out of polyester wool to improve room acoustics.

What is polyester wool?
Polyester wool products, and therefore Akotherm, are made from polyester fibres, or threads, partly from newly produced polyester material and from recycled polyester material. Polyester is a is a category of polymers commonly referred to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The exact composition of Akotherm depends on the application and the product requirements.

Also, during the production process, residual material and cutting waste are added back into the process. Unlike other polyester wool products, Akotherm consists of long bonded fibres preventing the product from tearing. This process results in a much stronger polyester wool product than most other polyester wool products. Because Akotherm does not disintegrate, it has a particularly long lifespan and is 100% recyclable. 

How to process Akotherm polyester wool
Since Akotherm is friendly to the touch, it does not cause an allergic skin reaction, so no gloves are needed. Polyester wool is comfortable to work with and does not necessarily need to be finished with a textile fabric. You can use a fabric when you want to make acoustic panels. 

Akotherm can be cut and processed with an insulation knife or a Bosch foam saw. Do not cut Akotherm with a knife when the product is to be applied in plain sight, you won't be able to make perfect cut edges, you need a foam cutter to do that. 

We can provide Akotherm in all sorts of complex shapes, cutouts or simple strips, in almost any dimension you like, if you have a need for large quantities. In our production facility we have CNC foam cutters and waterjet machines. These machines are also capable to produce other custom made acoustic materials. If you like to know more about what we can do for you, please take a look on the page "Customised Acoustic Materials". 

Akotherm polyester wool product range
Our range of Akotherm products consists of sound and thermal insulation, Akotherm Basic D20 is used for these applications. Akotherm with a higher densitity polyester wool, type D40 and SF, look and feel more as panels, these are used to improve room acoustics and sound insulation for machines. Below you find the specifications and properties of those polyester wool products:

• Akotherm Basic D20
  This Akotherm variant has a density of 20 kg/m³ and is without top layer. By post-processing the product at one side with needles, a compacted layer of 2 to 3 mm thick is obtained (goes for 25 and 40 mm types). This layer provides more strength and diminishes the chance of damage. This layer is still acoustically open, but does not protect against oil and moisture penetration. Akotherm Basic is often used as a semi-finished product. Furthermore, it can be used as thermal cavity wall insulation and as a filling for products such as acoustic visuals, panels and damper filling.

• Akotherm Basic D40
  This is a product that is comparable to the Basic variant, the biggest difference being a doubling of the density to 40 kg/m³ (D40). Since the production process is slightly different from the one from the Akotherm D20, the product obtains a slightly visible wave texture on one side. The increased density results in a higher absorption value, more stiffness as well as more resistance, preventing the Akotherm D40 from slumping. These panels can be used on visible spots, for example in order to improve room acoustics.
  

• Akotherm SF
  The Akotherm Smooth Finish is the most beautiful polyester wool product on the market. A special post-processing on both sides of the panels result in a top layer with the smoothness and tightness of fleece, without nearly costing as much as fleece! Thanks to this special post-processing, Akotherm SF is ideal to cover a wall or ceiling without the need for a finishing layer. The price, quality, and absorption ratio is particularly favourable. As a result you can cover a relatively large number of square meters at a competitive price!
   
• Akotherm Edge
  A faceted Akotherm D40 variant. The angled faceted edge gives this Akotherm plate just a little more aesthetic value for applications in various rooms for reducing reverberation. The price-quality ratio of this product is also remarkable.

Technical specifications Akotherm
Sound absorption coefficient values of polyester wool

• D20/50 mm:   NRC = 0,70; αw = 0,75 (absorption class C).
• D40/50 mm:   NRC = 0,80; αw = 0,85 (absorption class B).
• D20/100 mm: NRC = 1,00; αw = 1,05 (absorption class A).
  (Double layer of Akotherm).

Fire classification Akotherm Basic
EN 13501-1: 2002 fire class B, smoke number s2, drip number d0. Report no. 2006-Efectis-R0690. Smoke classes s1 and s2, does not apply to all types and thicknesses.

Questions or product samples? 
Do you have any questions about this product, or would you like to receive a product sample before ordering? Please contact us.