Wood-based foam to replace Styrofoam and other plastics

Being light in weight, heat-insulating and strong, wood foam can be used as insulation material in construction. Photo: Mikko Raskinen.
Metsäbiotalouden tulevaisuuskuvasto / Forest Bioeconomy Future Catalogue

The Smart Foams research project at Aalto University uses artificial intelligence to develop wood-based foams. Wood-based foam materials can replace Styrofoam and bubble wrap in packaging, for example.

’The project is based on biomimetics – a field which emulates natural phenomena. We use AI to develop a foam with properties similar to wood, such as strength, flexibility and resistance to heat,’ says Professor Mikko Alava in a news release by Aalto University.

The researchers strive to optimize the properties of the foam. A mixture of lignin, wood fibre and laponite (nanoclay), for example, can be processed into shock and heat resistant foam and used instead of plastic.

Lignin is the compound that binds wood fibres together. As a dried foam it is hard and water resistant and even conducts electricity.

The project makes use of machine learning to exclude superfluous materials and processes, thanks to which the development work is considerably accelerated, says postdoctoral researcher Juha Koivisto. The most unexpected feature of the foam is its edibility.

‘The method can be used to make foam out of powdered carrots, cowberries, cranberries or beetroot, and that can be further processed into crisps which resemble potato crisps,’ says Koivisto.

Several technologies can be used to make foam. Paper manufacturing technologies can be used to produce a desired thickness, but the method is slow. Extrusion or 3D printing produces hard, elongated bubbles for a strong, baton-like structure.

‘On the basis of existing data, AI makes suggestions on how we could add the desired property into the material with the least effort,’ Koivisto adds.

The project has received funding from Business Finland to look for commercial applications and markets for the new material. Commercial production and use as packaging, for example, requires that the foam is truly biodegradable and cheap and that it can be produced in considerable quantities. ‘In tons and tons’ is the expression used by Alanko in the Finnish version of the news release.

The foam can also be used as insulation material in construction, being light in weight, heat-insulating and strong. It is water-resistant and therefore fire-safe.

The foam is very similar to cork, but is tens of times lighter.

11 comments on “Wood-based foam to replace Styrofoam and other plastics”

I am always so impressed by the creativity and innovation reported in the forest.fi newsletter. The world has much to learn from your society. Thank you 😊

Reply

Thanks, Eric. Hannes Mäntyranta

Reply

Very interesting article. I am interested to collaborate. Alain Belanger

Reply

Dear Alain, thanks for your comment. Please, turn to the contacts listed with the article. Hannes Mäntyranta

Reply

Fascinating development – could this replace injected insulation in Structurally Insulated panels(SIPs)in construction? Do you have any U value information on the product?

Reply

Dear Peter, thanks for your comment. I’m afraid we are unable to answer. I suggest you turn to the contacts listed with the article. Hannes Mäntyranta

Reply

I’m interested in more information on foam productions.

Reply

We look forward to this product converting to commercial requirements. End of the life usage or disposal need to be thought of, otherwise there will be seen same issues, which we are facing with polymers. Our good wishes to all who are involved Regards.

Reply

Is this material already available on the market?

Reply

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately not at the moment. Hannes Mäntyranta

Reply

I am interested. Thank you, Valentin Popa

Reply

Write a comment