A new Vancouver pilot plant is turning forestry waste into biodegradable “wood foam” that could eventually be used for building insulation as well as protective packaging.
The material was developed through a partnership between the University of British Columbia and Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership (YLP), the business arm of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.
WATCH | CBC News report
Wood Foam Shows Potential as Building Insulation
While much of the early focus has been on replacing plastic foam packaging, the technology also has potential in construction.
The wood foam can be used as a thermal insulation panel or as loose batting. Researchers at the pilot plant are testing organic waterproofing, insect-proofing and fireproofing additives as they work to prepare the material for wider use.
Get the Green Building Project Checklist
Use this handy checklist on your next project to keep track of all the ways you can make your home more energy-efficient and sustainable.
UBC says the facility is already producing insulation panels treated to meet building performance requirements. If the material reaches commercial scale, it could add another bio-based option for Canadian builders looking at insulation and other building-envelope applications, including exterior insulation and retrofit work involving insulation upgrades.
Turning B.C. Wood Waste Into a New Material
The East Vancouver facility is operated by DicinFoam, a majority-owned subsidiary of YLP. Dicin means “wood” in the Wet’suwet’en language.
The process uses wood fibre from sources including B.C. sawmills, municipal waste streams and paper recycling. The material is cleaned and processed into fibres before being mixed with water and non-toxic substances to create a slurry.
That mixture is then shaped, de-watered and oven-dried to produce a lightweight foam.
UBC says the technology can also use waste left by logging or forest fires that might otherwise be burned or discarded. The resulting product is designed to biodegrade, unlike conventional plastic foam packaging that can remain in landfills for centuries.
Indigenous-Led Production Moves Beyond the Lab
The technology originated in the laboratory of UBC professor Dr. Feng Jiang, whose research focuses on converting underused forest biomass into higher-value materials.
“With this pilot we’re creating opportunities to train the next generation of talent, including Indigenous students, in sustainable materials development and business,” Jiang said. “This will help to build a stronger and more inclusive Canadian bioeconomy.”
The Vancouver plant currently produces about 150 to 200 kilograms of wood foam per day, allowing potential customers to test its performance.
Plans call for a larger facility in Burns Lake, within Wet’suwet’en territory, with annual capacity of 1,000 tonnes. A later 15,000-tonne facility is also being considered for Vancouver Island.
The Burns Lake expansion could create up to 15 jobs, while the larger Vancouver Island operation could support another 35 to 60.
Image from Depositphotos
