Canadian Company Exploring Insulation Made from Lignin Biomass

Enerlab 2000 Inc, Quebec, Canada, a manufacturer of thermal insulation products used for buildings since 1982, has announced the launch of a very important research and development project aimed at developing a new non-food supply related renewable polyol used as raw material to make polyurethane insulation products. With ever increasing global concern over rapid depletion of non-renewable fossil fuel based resources, there is a strong interest worldwide in developing suitable technologies that can derive chemicals and materials from renewable lignin biomass. 

 

Armand Langlois, President of Enerlab 2000 Inc., explained that "this project fits in the long term strategy of Enerlab to develop new green products. The preparation of higher valued green chemicals and bio-based products favors the future use of lignin biomass components, which are not part of the food-chain supply, with substantial environmental and economical benefits. Lignin is the second most naturally abundant biopolymeric substance after cellulose." 

 

Enerlab will carry out this three-year R&D program of more than $1 million collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) which is involved in a larger scope effort through the National Bioproducts Program. Several NRC institutes, namely the Industrial Materials Institute (NRC-IMI), the Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC-BRI), and the Institute for Research in Construction (NRC-IRC), will take an active role in this R&D project, which is supported by the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the Consortium de recherche en plasturgie et composites du Québec (CRPCQ). Dr. Minh Tan Ton That from NRC-IMI presented a paper at this year's Polyurethanes 2010 Technical Conference in Houston in October.

 

Enerlab 2000 Inc is a manufacturer of spray polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate board stock foam, and structural insulated panels. More information http://www.enerlab.ca/ is available online.