“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.”

The following report is from Study Finds:

Popcorn may soon be moving from movie theater snack stands to the theater’s walls themselves! Scientists at the University of Göttingen have developed of method to turn popcorn into eco-friendly building insulation. The team says these materials could cut down on the use of less sustainable products to keep buildings warm and reduce heating costs.

Good insulation in a building cuts down on the need to provide heat through oil and gas, resulting in fewer CO2 emissions. Researchers note that the construction market is dominated by traditional building materials, including plastics and mineral fibers — making up about 90 percent of all insulation products. Moreover, manufacturers also use plastics coming from petroleum to make exterior insulation too.

What Does Sustainability Really Mean?

Researchers say sustainable and natural options for building insulation are already available. When it comes to what makes insulation eco-friendly, the team says these materials should include renewable raw materials, have good thermal insulation, be resistant to fire, and be easy to recycle when the building eventually comes down.

In their experiments, the team with Göttingen’s Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology successfully developed a novel process for making a sustainable and efficient popcorn-based insulation board. Researchers managed to create a process which produces boards composed of “granulated” popcorn.

Tests show the boards have excellent “thermal insulation properties” and (unlike the popcorn you eat) protect against fire very well. Study authors believe the biggest advantage popcorn insulation has is that it is a plant-based material. This makes it environmentally-friendly and a sustainable alternative to petroleum products and other industry plastics.

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.

Explains the head of the research group, Professor Alireza Kharazipour, in a university release.

Additionally, the team finds their popcorn boards are water-repellent as well, possibly expanding their usefulness and shelf life as a building material.

popcorn insulation
A research group at the University of Göttingen has long been researching manufacturing processes for products made of popcorn that are sustainable and efficient. The University has now agreed a licence agreement with the Bachl Group for the commercial use of the process and the products for building insulation. (Courtesy: Karl Bachl GmbH & Co. KG)

AUTHOR COMMENTARY

[3] Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: [4] And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. [5] A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. [6] For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Proverbs 24:3-6

I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your popcorn house in!

Bad jokes aside, we sure do live in strange times – that the healthy snack we eat can be used as an insulator. Does it actually work? I have no idea, but I found it rather interesting when I saw it.

These discovers fall right in line with these net-zero agendas, as new building and construction materials and practices are core tenets of that initiative.

Agenda Absolute Zero: You’ll Be Enslaved And Be Happy

Sweden Develops Concrete That Can Conduct Electricity.


[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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5 Comments

  • Wonder what mice & rats think about it? Probably pretty easy to huff and puff and blow a popcorn house down if it’s riddled with mouse & rat holes…lol. Uh-oh. Black Death here we come? They like corn. So do little pigs, that joke flies.

    Of course, the corn’s about all gmo so maybe they won’t eat it, or maybe we’ll get mutant mice! Alpha, beta, whatever & delta (not a Greek expert) on down the line til the Lord says, Come up hither! & hide yourself til the trouble is past.

    Innovation & knowledge is great, but everytime they deny the curse & sin, & try coming up with heaven on earth utopian schemes: bad things happen.

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