ICC Sydney
Listed on the manufacturer's project page. The page notes the venue's 6-star Green Star rating, which describes the building rather than the panel.[19]
Product research profile
Durra Panel
An Australian compressed straw panel used as an internal wall lining, partition and ceiling system, made from an agricultural by-product.
It has a verified EPD and a long list of commercial projects. Here is what that documentation supports, and where the manufacturer's own pages go further than the evidence.
- Australia
- Recycled & Renewable Materials
- Agricultural by-product
PlaceholderPhotograph to come. We publish only images we have permission to use.
Image to come. We publish only images we have permission to use.
Circular Abundance research assessment
Where the evidence stands
A short summary of this profile. It describes the state of the evidence and does not score or rank the product. Commercial maturity and evidence quality are separate: one describes the market, the other how much independent evidence supports the product. Both are defined on our evidence page.
- Commercial maturity
Established technology
Made and sold commercially in Australia from a single factory, with a long list of completed projects and a manufacturer-reported history of residential use since the 1950s. We have not independently verified the history or the project list. This label describes market maturity only; see evidence quality for how much independent evidence supports the product's performance claims.
- Evidence quality
Partly verified
One independent element: a third-party verified EPD (S-P-10940). It covers environmental data for the product stage and end-of-life scenarios, not fire, acoustic or structural performance. Those and cost claims are the manufacturer's own, and some manufacturer statements differ from the EPD.
- Environmental documentation
A third-party verified EPD (S-P-10940, valid to 19 March 2029) reports −19.3 kg CO₂e/m² for the product stage, including −25.0 of biogenic carbon.[1][2] The EPD models that carbon as released at end of life, sets module D to zero and gives no composted share, so no whole-life total can be stated. Several manufacturer statements (energy, water, composition) differ from the EPD.
- Manufacturing location
Made at a single factory in Golden Square (Bendigo), Victoria; the manufacturer says straw is sourced within 100 km.[1][3] The source of the recycled liner is not stated.
- Independent technical evidence
Limited to the EPD, which includes thermal data (R 0.62 m²K/W for 50 mm).[1] The one-hour fire result, AS/ISO 9705 test and FM Class 1 approval are manufacturer statements whose reports we did not find.[4]
- Whole-system economics
No current price or independent comparison was found. A 2021 company figure of $29.70/m² appears in a sponsored article, and the manufacturer says the system saves labour and time.[5][6]
- End-of-life circularity
The manufacturer says the panel can be recycled or composted.[7] The EPD assumes composting only for panels contracted for it and landfill for the rest, and the Australian composting pathway is not documented in the sources we found.[1]
- Key advantages
- Core made from an agricultural by-product sourced near the factory (manufacturer statement).[3][8]
- Verified EPD with product-stage and end-of-life modules.[1]
- Combined lining, partition and ceiling functions with one-hour fire performance claimed for a jointed panel.[4]
- Cut and fixed on site with ordinary tools.[9]
- Outstanding research questions
- Which test reports support the one-hour fire result and the AS/ISO 9705 and FM Class 1 claims, and for which systems?
- What are the tested acoustic ratings for specific wall and ceiling systems?
- Why do the manufacturer's energy and water statements differ from the EPD?
- What share of panels is actually composted in Australia, and by whom?
- What is the current installed cost against plasterboard and other linings, per wall system?
Editorial perspective · Our interpretation
Potential
Durra Panel turns a low-value farm residue into a durable, jointed lining with an unusually clear environmental declaration for its category. The EPD's honest treatment of biogenic carbon is a strength, and the long project list suggests the product is not experimental. With published fire and acoustic test data, it could be a credible low-carbon lining for commercial and residential interiors.
Limitations
The headline carbon figure describes the product stage only, and the end-of-life benefit rests on a composting pathway that is not documented. Performance and cost claims are the manufacturer's, several marketing statements do not match the EPD, and the panel is internal-only and thicker than a conventional lining.
At a glance
Each row shows the class of source behind it, so claims can be weighed appropriately.
| Origin & manufacture | Ortech Industries Pty Ltd; single factory at Golden Square (Bendigo), Victoria.[1] | Third-party verified |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Recycled & Renewable Materials · Water & Resource Efficiency | Our note |
| Product type | Compressed straw panel for internal wall and ceiling linings, partitions and trafficable ceilings.[2][6] | Third-party verified |
| Material | Wheat and rice straw core (not post-consumer) between recycled kraft liner, bonded with water-based PVA glue.[1][6] | Third-party verified |
| Size and weight | 50 or 58 mm thick; 18.5 to 22 kg/m² (standard panel).[6] | Manufacturer |
| Thermal | R 0.62 m²K/W for the 50 mm panel (0.081 W/mK).[1] | Third-party verified |
| Fire | 1 hour for a jointed panel (CSIRO), AS/ISO 9705, FM Class 1, as stated by the manufacturer.[4] | Manufacturer |
| Use | Internal and dry use only.[9] | Manufacturer |
| Environmental declaration | S-P-10940, valid 20 Mar 2024 to 19 Mar 2029.[1][2][10] | Third-party verified |
| Other labels | Declare label; Green Star Responsible Product Value 13; LEED contribution.[11] | Manufacturer |
Overview
Durra Panel is a compressed straw building panel made in regional Victoria by Ortech Industries. A core of wheat and rice straw is formed by heat and pressure and covered with recycled kraft paper liner. It is sold as an internal wall and ceiling lining, a partition panel and a trafficable ceiling system.[2][6][9]
The idea is old: the maker and the trade press say straw panels were used in Australian homes in the 1950s, and that the technology came from Sweden.[9][12] What is new is the documentation. In 2024 Durra Panel published an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified under the International EPD System, which is the main independent evidence available for the product.[1][2]
This profile separates what that verified document says from what the manufacturer and the trade press say, and records the gaps, including some places where the manufacturer's own pages and the EPD do not agree.
Independently verified
Manufacturer-reported
Not yet found
- Fire, acoustic or structural test reports published in full
- Independent whole-system cost or performance comparison
- Evidence for the Australian end-of-life pathway, including composting
How the technology works
Durra Panel is made by dry extrusion. Straw is bought from farms near the factory, then heated and compressed so that a natural polymer in the straw acts as the binder for the core.[2][3] The core is then bonded between two layers of recycled kraft liner using a water-based PVA glue.[7][6] The manufacturer says its process was developed in conjunction with the CSIRO.[6]
What it is, and what it is not
- An internal lining. The manufacturer says Durra Panel is for internal use only and needs to be kept dry; a cement sheet finish is offered for wet areas.[9]
- Not structural. It is described as wall and ceiling lining and non-load-bearing partition walls.[6]
- A system product. It is supplied with Durra Steel Sections and panelised building systems from the same company.[15]
- Finishes. Variants with plywood, hardboard, cement sheet and biochar finishes are listed; these change thickness, weight and fire group.[6][16]
Materials and environmental impact
Durra Panel's core is straw, an agricultural by-product, with a thin outer liner of recycled paper.[1] The EPD was developed by Life Cycle Strategies (Lifecycles) and verified before registration.[1][2]
What the EPD reports
Third-party verified, ISO 14025 and EN 15804+A2. Declared unit: 1 m² of 50 mm panel at a nominal 18.5 kg/m². Modules A1–A3, A5, C1–C4 and D are declared; transport to site (A4) and the use stage (B) are not. Single factory at Golden Square, Victoria; data period calendar year 2022.[1]
| Indicator (per m²) | Result | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Global warming potential, product stage (A1–A3) | −19.3 kg CO₂e | Fossil 5.73; biogenic −25.0; GWP-GHG 4.41 |
| Global warming potential, construction waste (A5) | 0.322 kg CO₂e | |
| Transport and deconstruction (C1, C2) | 0.0957 and 0.170 kg CO₂e | C2 modelled at 50 km |
| End of life: composting scenario (C3) | 10.8 kg CO₂e | Biogenic 10.5 |
| End of life: landfill scenario (C4) | 14.4 kg CO₂e | GWP-GHG 7.06 |
| Module D (benefits beyond the system) | 0 | Declared as zero |
| Renewable primary energy (PERT), A1–A3 | 24.2 MJ | |
| Non-renewable primary energy (PENRT), A1–A3 | 79.0 MJ | |
| Net fresh water use, A1–A3 | 0.0514 m³ (51 L) | |
| Hazardous / non-hazardous waste disposed, A1–A3 | 0.0854 kg / 3.98 kg |
Figures checked against the EPD document on 14 November 2026. Check: fossil 5.73 + biogenic −25.0 = −19.27, which rounds to the declared −19.3.[1]
Reading these numbers carefully
- "Carbon negative" is a product-stage result. The −19.3 kg CO₂e figure counts the carbon the straw absorbed while growing. EN 15804 does not allow carbon storage to be carried through, so the EPD models that biogenic carbon as released in end-of-life modules C3 and C4, adding about 25 kg CO₂e/m². Module D is set to zero.[1] Trade coverage uses the term "carbon negative" without that qualification.[17]
- No single whole-life total can be stated. The EPD says panels contracted for composting are composted and all others go to landfill, but it does not give the share composted.[1] C3 and C4 therefore cannot be combined into one cradle-to-grave number from the document alone.
- Per square metre of panel, not per wall. The EPD does not report a finished wall or ceiling system, and it excludes the use stage, so energy savings in service are not counted.[1]
- Comparisons need care. The EPD states that comparison with other EPDs is only valid when rules and boundaries match. Its plausibility check used a straw-insulation EPD because no straw-panel EPD existed.[1]
Composition
| Component | Mass, kg/m² | Share of 18.5 kg (our arithmetic) | Share stated in EPD graphic | Post-consumer recycled content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straw (wheat or rice) | 16.7 | 90.3% | 96.22% | 0% |
| Recycled kraft paper liner | 0.844 | 4.6% | 3.55% | 98–100% |
| Water-based PVA glue | 0.453 | 2.4% | 0.23% | 0% |
| Aluminium tape | 0.0971 | 0.5% | not stated | 0% |
| Paper tape and side tape | 0.00379 | <0.1% | not stated | 0% |
The listed component masses add up to about 18.10 kg, not the nominal 18.5 kg, and the percentages printed in the EPD's composition graphic (96.22%, 3.55%, 0.23%) do not match its own masses. For example, 16.7 kg of straw is 90.3% of 18.5 kg. Treat the masses as the better guide and ask the manufacturer to clarify.[1]
Manufacturer statements that differ from the EPD
- Energy. The manufacturer says embodied energy is only 12.6 MJ/m².[7][18] The EPD reports 79.0 MJ/m² of non-renewable and 24.2 MJ/m² of renewable primary energy for the product stage.[1] The metrics may not be defined in the same way, but the EPD is the verified source.
- Water. The manufacturer says manufacture requires no water or gas.[7] The EPD reports net fresh water use of 0.0514 m³ (about 51 litres) per m² for the product stage.[1]
- "100% recyclable". The manufacturer says the panel can be recycled or composted at end of life.[7] The EPD assumes landfill unless panels are contracted for composting, and the panel includes PVA glue, aluminium tape and liner.[1] The Australian composting pathway is not described in the sources we found.
- "Made entirely from straw". Used in trade listings;[16] the EPD shows straw is about 90% by mass with recycled liner, glue and tape making up the rest.[1]
- PCR version. The EPD text cites PCR 2019:14 version 1.3.2, while the programme library page lists version 1.3.4.[1][2]
Technical performance and compliance
Specifications and performance claims below come mainly from the manufacturer. Only the thermal data and the environmental indicators sit in the verified EPD.
| Item | Reported | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Size and weight | 50 mm or 58 mm thick; 18.5 to 22 kg/m² for the standard panel. Listings give a maximum size of 1,220 × 3,600 mm; other listings show 1,187 mm widths, so confirm current sizes.[6][16] | Manufacturer |
| Fire resistance | A CSIRO fire resistance test rating of 1 hour for a panel with a fire-rated panel-to-panel joint; tested to AS/ISO 9705 (full-scale room test); FM Class 1; Group 2 or 3 finishes available.[4][9] The FAQ calls this a one-hour fire resistance level (FRL).[9] | Manufacturer |
| Thermal | R 0.62 m²K/W and conductivity 0.081 W/mK for the 50 mm panel, as printed in the EPD (0.050 ÷ 0.081 = 0.62).[1] System R-values of 4 and above are stated when combined with insulation and an unventilated air cavity.[14] | Third-party verified |
| Acoustic | Promoted for sound absorption, rain-noise and breakout control. Numerical ratings were not found in the pages we reviewed.[13] | Manufacturer |
| Ratings and labels | EPD; Declare label; Green Star Responsible Product Value of 13; stated to contribute to LEED.[11] The EPD is independently verified; the other entries are listed by the manufacturer. | Manufacturer |
| Use limits | Internal use only; keep dry; light shower tolerated during construction; cement sheet finish for wet areas.[9] | Manufacturer |
| Pests | Described as not a food source for termites, ants or rodents.[9] | Manufacturer |
What we could not verify. We did not find the CSIRO fire test report, the AS/ISO 9705 report or the FM approval in public form, and the trade listings give no AS 1530 data. The manufacturer's phrases "fire resistance level" and "fire resistance test rating" should be matched to a specific test report and system before the panel is specified for a fire-rated wall. Acoustic ratings should be taken from a test report for the exact system.
Installation and construction requirements
Choose the system and finish
Pick the panel finish and system (lining, single or double layer partition, or trafficable ceiling) that matches the fire, acoustic and moisture needs. Wet areas need the cement sheet finish.[9]
Frame and fix
Panels are fixed to a stud frame, with Durra Steel Sections available for the system.[9][15] Fixing details, centres and joint treatment should come from the manufacturer's current installation documents.
Cut on site
Panels can be cut with an ordinary circular or reciprocating saw using a coarse blade.[9] Dust control and safety data sheet guidance should be checked before work starts.
Insulate and finish
The manufacturer recommends insulation in the wall or ceiling cavity to maximise thermal comfort, with the panel adding to the overall R-value.[9]
PlaceholderPhotograph to come. We publish only images we have permission to use.
PlaceholderPhotograph to come. We publish only images we have permission to use.
Site and design notes
- A 50 mm panel at 18.5 to 22 kg/m² is thicker and heavier than a conventional lining, so wall thickness, framing and handling should be checked at design stage.[6]
- The panel is kept dry in transit and on site; it is not designed for continuous exposure to weather.[9]
- Detailed installation guides are available from the manufacturer; we have not reviewed them for this profile.
Costs and commercial considerations
No current price list was found. The figures available are a company-supplied price from 2021 and manufacturer claims about savings.
- Dated company price. A 2021 sponsored article quotes the company at $29.70 per m² for the panel. This is a company figure, five years old at the time of this review, and should not be used for budgeting.[5]
- Claimed system savings. The manufacturer says the panel is cheaper than an internal plasterboard wall and that the system reduces labour and build time.[6] We did not find an independent comparison of installed cost.
- Not a like-for-like swap. The panel is 50 mm or more thick and offers combined lining, partition and ceiling functions, so cost should be compared at the whole wall or ceiling level, including framing, insulation and finish.[6]
- Supply. Panels are made by one company in Victoria, with pricing and lead times by enquiry.[1][16]
Projects and case studies
Durra Panel lists many commercial and residential projects. The entries below are taken from the manufacturer's project pages and a trade directory. They are reported by the manufacturer and have not been independently verified, and none provides measured performance data.
Butterfly House, Melbourne
A heritage-listed 1960s house by architect Peter McIntyre, presented by the manufacturer as an early residential use and an example of long-term performance. The statement is the manufacturer's.[19]
ECHO.1, Hawthorn
A multi-residential project listed in a trade directory as a project featuring Durra Panel. The listing is supplied by the manufacturer.[16]
Independent measured case study
As-built acoustic and thermal performance, installed cost and fire documentation for a specific wall or ceiling system.
Limitations and trade-offs
Independent evidence is limited to the EPD
Fire, acoustic and cost claims come from the manufacturer and the trade press, and the test reports behind them were not found in public form.[4][13]
Marketing and EPD figures differ
Energy, water, composition and recyclability statements on the manufacturer's pages do not match the verified EPD. Specifiers should use the EPD.[7][1]
"Carbon negative" needs context
The negative figure is a product-stage result. The EPD models the carbon as returned at end of life and sets module D to zero.[1]
End of life depends on a pathway
Only panels contracted for composting are composted in the EPD scenario, and the composted share is not given.[1]
Internal and dry use only
The panel is not for external use and is sensitive to moisture, which limits where it can replace other linings.[9]
Thicker and heavier than a plain lining
At 50 mm and 18.5 to 22 kg/m², it changes wall build-up, and cost has to be judged for the whole system.[6]
Technical documentation and references
Superscript numbers in this profile refer to the sources below, listed in the order they are first cited. The label on each shows the class of source and how much weight it deserves.
Source classes used in this profile
- Independent third-party verification. Documents reviewed by an independent verifier or programme operator, such as a registered Environmental Product Declaration. Verification confirms the method and data, not that a product is better than an alternative, or a certificate issued by an accredited certification body (for example a CodeMark certificate).
- Manufacturer information. Websites, brochures, datasheets and media releases published by the manufacturer. Useful for specifications, but claims are the manufacturer's own.
- Trade and editorial media. Magazines, news sites and directories that publish product coverage. Some of it is sponsored or supplied by the manufacturer; each entry says so where known.
- Third-party verified Ortech Industries Pty Ltd, Environmental Product Declaration: Durra Panel, S-P-10940 (EPD-IES-0010940:001; published 20 Mar 2024, valid to 19 Mar 2029; EPD Australasia / The International EPD System). Text of the EPD as served by the programme's library; developed by Life Cycle Strategies (Lifecycles). Verification scope. What verification covers: the life-cycle assessment data and method behind the declaration, checked against the programme rules (ISO 14025 and EN 15804). What it does not cover: structural, acoustic, thermal, fire or other technical performance; compliance with the National Construction Code; comparison with other products; or the manufacturer's wider marketing claims. Technical values reported inside an EPD are the manufacturer's declared figures. Open source 1 (opens in a new tab)
- Third-party verified EPD International, library entry for Durra Panel (status, PCR and validity dates). Verification scope. What this confirms: registration, status and validity dates of the declaration. It does not add verification of the content or of product performance. Open source 2 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Complete Home, Durra Panel articles (straw sourcing and process description). Marketing-style coverage. Open source 3 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Fire resistant, manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 4 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media The Fifth Estate, Could Durra be the world's most sustainable building panels? (sponsored content; viewed in an earlier review pass, dated 27 Jul 2021). Sponsored article. The price quoted in it is a company figure. Open source 5 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Green Magazine, Durra Panel: a compressed straw building panel (product listing). Product listing with supplier-provided text. Open source 6 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Sustainability, manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 7 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Sustainable Building Awards 2023, Green Building Material entry: Durra Panel. Awards entry text is supplied by the applicant. Open source 8 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Frequently asked questions, manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 9 (opens in a new tab)
- Third-party verified EPD Australasia, listing for Durra Panel (Ortech Industries). Verification scope. What this confirms: registration, status and validity dates of the declaration. It does not add verification of the content or of product performance. Open source 10 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Certifications (EPD, Declare label, Green Star, LEED), manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 11 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Complete Home, Durra Panel: sustainable building with a legacy of innovation. Marketing-style coverage. Open source 12 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Acoustic, manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 13 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Thermal, manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 14 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Architecture & Design, Durra Panel supplier profile (Ortech Industries). Supplier profile populated by the manufacturer. Open source 15 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Architecture & Design, Durra Panel product listing (supplier-provided). Directory listing populated by the supplier. Open source 16 (opens in a new tab)
- Trade / media Green Magazine, Durra Panel: Environmental Product Declaration. Describes the EPD; uses the term 'carbon negative'. Open source 17 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Ortech Industries, Durra Panel: Sustainable, Durable & Affordable brochure (undated), hosted by Architecture & Design. Open source 18 (opens in a new tab)
- Manufacturer Durra Panel, Projects, manufacturer website. Viewed 14 November 2026. Open source 19 (opens in a new tab)
Manufacturer
Ortech Industries (Durra Panel)
Panels are made at Golden Square (Bendigo), Victoria.[1] Contact details as published by the manufacturer:[16]
- Unit 3, 490 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs VIC
- 03 9580 7766
- [email protected]