LignoSchaum

Most commercialised foam insulation materials, including rigid foam board and spray foam, are mainly produced from petrochemical materials. Therefore, these foam insulations are made from non-renewable resources that emit significant greenhouse gases, consume large amounts of energy during manufacture, and are difficult to recycle at the end of their life. Moreover, the fossil-based foams are also highly flammable, which can quickly lead to fires. For these reasons, there is a solid motivation to develop new and innovative insulation materials based on perennial and large renewable, forestry or agricultural raw materials. Furthermore, the use of bio-based thermal insulation materials is seen as an alternative to reducing such environmental pollution, although these materials are still being used on a small scale. In contrast to polystyrene, which is mainly used for building insulation, the target insulation materials are ecologically harmless and will reduce energy consumption in buildings.

• Development of a bio-based formulation for the production of foam insulation materials that can replace petroleum-based rigid foam panels for thermal insulation. The foam will be made entirely from renewable raw materials and will be recyclable and economically sustainable.
• Evaluation of the properties and recyclability of the developed bio-based rigid insulation foams.
• The products to be developed will contribute to the well-being and health of the building users, as they are also intended to reduce the risk of fire compared with conventional conventionally used organic systems



The project's main goal is to produce rigid foam boards from selected bio-based by-products of the wood and pulp industry, which have properties similar to existing oil-based insulation boards. The primary raw materials for the project are lignin by-products in the manufacture of pulp and wood residues as production rejects in the manufacture of solid wood products.