MAY 30

Flip on HGTV or TLC and you’ll notice that building with sustainable resources is a flourishing concept. From bamboo flooring to all-natural paint, builders and home owners want eco-friendly solutions. Now there is an organic way to stay warm…and cool.

Greensulation is a renewable and biodegradeable insulation currently undergoing testing, and when it hits the market – potentially as soon as 2010 – it will be the first of its kind in the industry. The insulation is made mainly of rice hulls, mushroom roots and recycled paper, which are mixed together with water and hydrogen peroxide, placed in plastic containers, and put in a dark place where it can literally grow into shape. It is then baked to stop photosynthesis of mold and spores, and voila! – a rigid panel of insulation that can withstand heat up to 1,112 degrees Fahrenehit. The best part is it can be done cheaply since it utilizes agro-garbage and easily obtained ingredients, and contains no petroleum.

The product is proven to be fire retardant - far more so than common pink insulation products - but is still under testing to make sure it can resist mold growth and conforms to strict building codes. But building companies all over the world are already contacting the inventors at Ecovative wanting to know more about the innovation.

Along with other boons to the building industry and eco-friendly home construction, Greensulation will be a welcome addition to the growing arsenal of cheap, sustainable materials.

Via Scientific American

Comments (8)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Building with biohazards
written by paku, May 30, 2008

"But is still under testing to make sure it can resist mold growth".

Surely this is code for 'the damned stuff is currently a biohazard'.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by The Geek, May 31, 2008

Interesting but there are already 100% recycled insulating materials out there. One that is make from recycled denim, the other being make from recycled newspaper. There is also spray foam insulation while not recycled it is better then the pink stuff which is actually falling out of favor with home builders. The main advantage the pink stuff has right now is that it is easy installation project for homeowner to decrease their homes energy consumption.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by EV, May 31, 2008

Greensulation is a renewable and biodegradeable

You lost me at biodegradable. I currently live in a house that is over 100 years old. I don't want it degrading around me over time.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Glenn, June 04, 2008

molds don't conduct photosynthesis.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Sam
written by Sam, November 06, 2008

Paku: Greensulate is entirely natural and benign. The organism is killed and dried prior to installation in a home, so there are no spore or allergy issues.

Geek: Those materials you reference are not 100% recyclable. They add several chemicals to the denim and newspaper cellulose to make them fire retardant. Greensulate is naturally fire retardant without these added chemicals.

EV: Greensulate won't biodegrade in your home any more than the 2x4's in your walls. However, when your house eventually is torn down, the Greensulate can be crumpled up and thrown on your garden. When it is super saturated with water (rained on) on dirt, only then will it naturally decompose.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

So Why Still Stalled 19 Months Later?
written by justwondering, December 14, 2008

Press & News on this group goes back to May 2007; it's now Dec 2008.

So why haven't any of the "interested" building companies invested or teamed up? Not a dime. Why no vcs, investors or partners? No money-where-their-mouth-is interest in a year and a half is very significant. Is there a "there" there?

There seems to be a major problem in commercializing this science project. Maybe can't make enough of it at a reasonable cost in a reasonable amount of time?

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by justwondering, December 14, 2008

Got to agree with EV and point out to Sam that 2x4's can't be crumpled up and thrown in a garden. In fact, many companies exist that deal in recycled lumber salvaged from 100 year or older buildings. Moisture or water causing a building material to crumple and melt like the wicked witch is not cool. Houses do get leaks, floods, etc.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by ed hardy clothes, September 24, 2009

You lost me at biodegradable. I currently live in a house that is over 100 years old. I don't want it degrading around me over time.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment