Durra Panel is an Australian-made, sustainable wall and ceiling panel system formed from compressed wheat straw, a reclaimed agricultural by-product. Offering high acoustic, thermal and fire-resistant performance, Durra Panel combines low embodied energy with circularity – it is 100 per cent recyclable and biodegradable, and avoids chemical binders in manufacture.

Available in a variety of modular systems and finishes, Durra Panel supports low-impact construction and regenerative material cycles across commercial, institutional and residential projects.

Find out more at durrapanel.com

 

Certifications

• Declare
• GreenStar Rating
• LEED Certification

 

How it works

The panel’s structural core is formed by applying heat and pressure to reclaimed wheat and rice straw, activating the straw’s natural lignin as a binding agent and eliminating the need for synthetic resins. Panels are encapsulated with a recycled Kraft liner. No chemical binders are used, the manufacturing process requires no water or gas, and end-of-life recovery is straightforward: panels can be recycled, composted or returned to soil.

Why it matters

Durra Panel demonstrates how low-impact materials can sit at the intersection of performance and sustainability:

• Carbon and resource efficiency: By repurposing agricultural straw that would otherwise be burnt and released to atmosphere, the product can achieve a negative Global Warming Potential (-19 kg CO₂-eq/m²) and displace higher-impact linings.
• Thermal and acoustic performance: The dense biomass core provides meaningful thermal resistance and sound control in both wall and ceiling applications.
• Safety and durability: Panels exhibit robust fire performance under Australian standards and exceed plasterboard impact resistance in industrial tests.

These qualities make Durra Panel a compelling choice for teams seeking to align performance requirements with material circularity and embodied impact reduction.

Typical applications

Durra Panel is suited to a range of internal environments, including commercial offices, education facilities, civic buildings and residential interiors. It is used in ceilings, partition walls and feature cladding scenarios where acoustic comfort, thermal behaviour and sustainable credentials are priorities.

Specification considerations

• Modularity and finishes: The system supports a variety of surface options – from natural straw to plywood, biochar and acoustic-enhanced patterns – enabling designers to calibrate performance and aesthetics.
• Installation and integration: Panels are typically supplied cut to size. Structural support systems and fixing details vary with application and should be resolved in early design stages.
• Project context: While suitable for residential and commercial work, designers should factor panel mass and support strategy into ceilings and partitions relative to structural framing.