Following the launch of its new hemp ceiling canopy, ceiling systems manufacturer OWA has further expanded its use of natural materials with the development of its Natura hemp straw tiles. Suitable for both wall and ceiling applications, the tiles form part of OWA’s new nOWAcoustic collection of natural material products and are designed for projects where sustainability, design flexibility and acoustic comfort are key priorities.
OWA’s new Natura hemp straw ceiling tiles are produced from renewable hemp. While the softer fibres are used to create OWA’s Selecta hemp canopy, the coarser woody stems of the plant are repurposed to manufacture the new straw tiles, helping to reduce waste by making use of this important by‑product of hemp processing. As hemp grows rapidly and produces a high level of biomass, it binds significant amounts of CO₂ during cultivation. This means more carbon emissions are absorbed during the growth of the raw material than are released during manufacturing, resulting in a negative carbon footprint for the finished product. The tiles are also 100 percent recyclable and can be returned to the material cycle at the end of their service life.
In addition to supporting circularity, the vapour‑permeable properties of hemp make it an ideal interior building material, helping to create more comfortable and healthier indoor environments. The straw tiles also offer class C sound absorption, reducing sound reverberation across a variety of interior spaces and making them well suited to commercial, education and healthcare buildings.
OWA’s Natura hemp straw tiles feature an attractive textured surface and are available in a variety of shades, including a natural straw colour, with two edge designs and three standard tile shapes: rectangle, square and triangle. The choice of size, shape and colour options, the latter of which may vary slightly due to the natural material, also allows designers to create striking mosaics and patterns.
The new tiles complement OWA’s Selecta hemp canopy, a lightweight suspended absorber made from the softer fibres of the hemp plant. The canopy delivers excellent sound absorption and design versatility, providing architects and designers with a flexible way to enhance acoustics in open‑plan or high‑volume spaces. The new hemp canopies were recently installed at the head office of global engineering consultancy firm Cundall, where the system’s enhanced acoustic performance helped create a more comfortable and attractive interior space.
For more information about OWA’s new hemp straw tiles and hemp ceiling canopy, please visit: https://owa-ceilings.co.uk/product-material/hemp/
