Foam Goes Green: Soy Foam Insulation

 
Although fiberglass and mineral wool insulation are already helping minimize carbon dioxide emissions and saving energy, not all forms of insulation are environmentally friendly. The deconstruction of buildings using foam insulation sandwich panels is not only expensive, but hazardous—mere disposal of the panels is time consuming and difficult. However, new developments have lead to the introduction of a safer, greener insulation: soy foam.

Traditional Spray Foam Insulation

Spray-on foam insulation is composed of either isocyanurate (open-cell) or polyurethane (closed-cell). In open-cell foam, the actual cells of the foam are not completely closed, allowing air to fill the remaining empty space. Closed-cell foam is not as soft as open-cell foam but it’s stronger—the cells in closed-cell foam are closed and tightly packed, but are filled with an agent that enables expansion. Both kinds of foam are applied as a liquid that contains a polymer (like polyurethane) and a foaming agent—it then expands to fill spaces, including small nooks and hard to reach places. 

Soy Foam Insulation

Soy is commonly used in many industrial products, including paints, adhesives, and stains. It is also used in resin formulations—after much testing, researchers at the University of Delaware were able to create a soy-based polymer from a soy resin—and has physical properties comparable to polyester. Soon thereafter, soy was infiltrating everything from bio-diesel to powder coatings. Using soy in building construction seemed the logical next step.

Soy foam insulation, as is currently being produced by multiple insulation companies, is a thermoset plastic foam that makes use of soy’s organic form—soy-bean products do not release chemicals or contain urea/formaldehyde. Available in spray-on form which uses water as its main blowing agent, soy foam expands inside the wall like other types of spray-on insulation, but has no toxic gas emissions. Soy foam insulation is also available in rigid form, which is much less dense than other kinds of rigid foam.

The insulation properties of soy foam are comparable to those of traditional polyurethane insulation, and it is mold and mildew resistant. It can also limit the amount of outdoor irritants, like pollen, dust, and other allergens. Other benefits include: 

• Maintains excellent thermal properties
• Stays firmly in place
• Lowers the cost of heating and cooling
• Blocks drafts
• Has zero food interest to insects and rodents
• Meets government requirements for renewable resources
• Effectively blocks sound
• Does not contain urea or ozone depleting agents