Replacing plastic and mineral wool insulation with wood fiber
- Date:
- September 16, 2014
- Source:
- Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)
- Summary:
- Researchers are developing wood fiber-based insulation materials and sprayable insulation foams with enhanced product features. The new materials will enable mass production of high-quality insulation products, which will replace products made of non-renewable or poorly recyclable raw materials. Use of wood-based material will lower energy consumption at the production stage, as well as reducing the products' carbon footprint.
- Share:
As part of the WoTIM project (Wood-based Thermal Insulation Materials), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing wood fibre-based insulation materials and sprayable insulation foams with enhanced product features. The new materials will enable mass production of high-quality insulation products, which will replace products made of non-renewable or poorly recyclable raw materials. Use of wood-based material will lower energy consumption at the production stage, as well as reducing the products' carbon footprint.
The Thermal Insulation Manufacturers and Suppliers Association (TIMSA) states that, of the various insulation materials, polyurethane foams have the highest and cellulose insulation materials the lowest environmental impact. From the environmental and sustainability point of view, the use of wood fibre-based insulation products should therefore be increased.
The WoTIM project involves the development of foam technique-based production methods in order to create high-quality wood-based thermal insulation panels and in-situ spray-on insulation materials.
Better thermal insulation, fewer health hazards
The project aims to raise the overall performance of wood-based insulation to the same level as that of polyurethane insulation. The insulation properties of cellulosic materials can be improved by using foam-like structures to create closed-like air pockets in the material.
Because the raw materials of plastic-based in-situ spray-on polyisocyanurates and polyurethanes (PIR and PUR) contain hazardous components, insulation workers must wear protective respirator masks and protect their skin during installation work. In contrast, the spray-on cellulosic foam to be developed by the WoTIM project will involve no health hazards, either during or after its installation.
Within the EU, there are good market opportunities for producers of new insulation materials. Innovative companies in particular tend to be early adopters of new solutions.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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