Plastics Challenge – Development of Next Generation Bio-Based Foam Insulation

Deadline: 2019-08-27
Award: $1,150,000 CAD
Open to: Canadian SMEs*

The vast majority of foam insulation (rigid foam board and spray foam) are largely produced using petrochemical feedstocks. As such, they are produced from non renewable sources, emit significant greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions during manufacturing and are difficult to recycle at end of life.

A few products on the market incorporate small quantities of bio-based material, up to 2% for "soy" spray foam and up to 25% lignin in IsoLignin polyurethane rigid foam.

NRCAN is seeking solutions that result in foam insulation products (either spray foam or rigid foam board) that: are predominantly derived from Canadian forest residue; have similar insulation values (within 20%) as currently available petroleum-based versions; would have similar cost (within 20%) as currently available petroleum-based versions; are less flammable than petroleum-based versions; are fully recyclable at end of life and, last but not least, would generate less (GHG) emissions during manufacturing.