Researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany have recently produced a new form of insulation which is created from popcorn. Popcorn insulation is formed into boards using a plant based glue, making the entire product edible. Kernels of popcorn are naturally water repellant, fire resistant, and have strong insulating properties. This type of insulation is considered sustainable as it is created from renewable plants and can be recycled into animal feed or composted. The popcorn product can also be molded into forms which are used for packaging.
The team of researchers working on popcorn insulation at the University of Göttingen were led by Professor Alireza Kharazipour. He commented, “This new process, based on that of the plastics industry, enables the cost-effective production of insulation boards at an industrial scale. Especially in the field of insulation in construction, this ensures that natural insulation materials are no longer just niche products.”
Converting To Green Insulation Products Reduces Pollution
A large amount of insulation products on today’s market are created from plastic materials. Polystyrene is a non-recyclable form of plastic which is used to create insulation boards. When polystyrene products are disposed of and broken down after use, the small particles sink into the earth and can contaminate water. Because polystyrene is non recyclable, it clogs up landfills and can take about 500 years to decompose. About 30% of an individual landfill contains polystyrene, which makes switching to green products an important choice in protecting the earth. Additionally, insulating a building reduces greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes your carbon footprint.
In a press release with MBM Science Bridge, the managing director for the popcorn insulation and packaging material licensing partner Nordgetreide declared, “Every day we pollute our earth with an exponentially increasing amount of plastic waste, which pollutes our ecological system for thousands of years. Our popcorn packaging is an excellent, sustainable alternative to petroleum-based styrofoam. The plant-based packaging is made from a residue from our cornflakes production that is not suitable for food and can be composted without leaving any residue after use. “
Where Is Popcorn Insulation Being Manufactured?
Popcorn insulation is now being produced by the German building material company Karl Bachl GmbH & Co. The managing director Michael Küblbeck stated, “We are delighted to be launching such an innovative insulation product using popcorn onto the market together with the University of Göttingen. For us, this is another important milestone in our strategic development towards becoming an integrated, multi-material insulation supplier. Popcorn insulation complements our quality range perfectly and means we can respond even more precisely to the different requirements of the market and our customers.”
Is Popcorn Insulation The Right Product For My Home Or Business?
Popcorn insulation protects the environment, creates comfort in a home or business and is an affordable product to insulate with. This sustainable insulation product can help lower greenhouse gas emissions and decrease your carbon footprint. The product is easily composted or used for animal feed at the end of it’s lifecycle. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly way to insulate your home or business, popcorn insulation may be the right choice for you.
Resources:
Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen -. “Press Release: Insulation Using Popcorn?” Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/3240.html?id=6481.
Birmingham Times, et al. “It’s A-Maize-Ing: Popcorn Is a New, Sustainable Insulation on the Market.” The Birmingham Times, 18 Nov. 2021, https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2021/11/its-a-maize-ing-popcorn-is-a-new-sustainable-insulation-on-the-market/.
“Collier County, FL.” The Facts On Styrofoam: Reduce and Reuse | Collier County, FL, https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-utilities/solid-hazardous-waste/keeping-green-helpful-information-page/the-facts-on-styrofoam-reduce-and-reuse.
“Styrofoam Facts – Why You May Want to Bring Your Own Cup.” SEJ, 17 Apr. 2019, https://www.sej.org/publications/backgrounders/styrofoam-facts-why-you-may-want-bring-your-own-cup.
Alter, Lloyd. “Researchers Make Insulation Board out of Popcorn.” Treehugger, Treehugger, 22 Nov. 2021, https://www.treehugger.com/researchers-make-insulation-board-out-of-popcorn-5210304.
Popcorn-Verpackungen, https://sciencebridge.de/de/popcorn-verpackungen.html.