Global Insulation
Precision is no coincidence! More than 40 years - precise measured values - Fagus GreCon
  • Home
  • News
  • Conferences
  • Directory
  • Magazine
  • Knowledge Base
  • Awards
  • My details
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Contact
News Washington State University researchers working on cellulose-based replacement for extruded polystyrene foam

Washington State University researchers working on cellulose-based replacement for extruded polystyrene foam

Written by Global Insulation staff
15 May 2019
  • Print
  • Email

US: Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have developed an alternative to extruded polystyrene foam that uses nanocrystals of cellulose instead of petroleum based products. The team, led by Amir Ameli, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Xiao Zhang, associate professor in the Gene and Linda School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, have also developed a manufacturing process to make the foam using water as a solvent.

The project is working on developing an environmentally friendly replacement for extruded polystyrene foam. The WSU team created a material that is made of about 75% cellulose nanocrystals from wood pulp. They added polyvinyl alcohol, another polymer that bonds with the nanocellulose crystals and makes the resultant foams more elastic.

“We have used an easy method to make high-performance, composite foams based on nanocrystalline cellulose with an excellent combination of thermal insulation capability and mechanical properties,” said Ameli.

The researchers are now developing formulations for stronger and more durable materials for practical applications. They are interested in incorporating low‑cost feedstocks to make a commercially viable product and considering how to move from laboratory to a real-world manufacturing scale.

Published in Global Insulation News
Tagged under
  • US
  • Washington State University
  • Research
  • Polystyrene
  • cellulose

Related items

  • RIMA International appoints new directors
  • Johns Manville to build blowing wool production line in Georgia
  • Iraqi researchers develop sawdust-clay composite insulation
  • Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association joins push back against organohalogen flame retardant regulation in Washington State
  • ETH’s Aeroskin Tech develops aerogel insulation
Global Gypsum Monthly Sign up
Global Insulation LinkedIn
Global Insulation X
Acquisition appointment Belgium China CO2 Denmark France Germany Glass Wool government Insulation Ireland Johns Manville Kingspan Knauf Knauf Insulation Mineral Wool Owens Corning Plant Polyurethane Product Results Rockwool Russia SaintGobain Sustainability TechnoNICOL UK Upgrade US
« May 2025 »
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31  
  • Home
  • News
  • Conferences
  • Directory
  • Magazine
  • Knowledge Base
  • Awards
  • My details
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Magazine >>
  • Introduction
  • Back issues
  • Articles
  • Conferences >>
  • Global CemBoards
  • Global CemCCUS
  • Global CemFuels
  • Global Concrete
  • Global FutureCem
  • Global Gypsum
  • Global GypSupply
  • Global Insulation
  • Global Slag
  • Websites >>
  • Global Cement
  • Global Gypsum
  • Global Slag
  • Global CemFuels
  • Global Concrete
  • Pro Global Media
  • PRoIDS Online

© 2025 Pro Global Media Ltd. All rights reserved