LSIWC's cryogenic insulation research featured in an international industry magazine

The international polyurethane industry magazine Urethanes Technology International has published an in-depth feature article, "Foam Flight", exploring the potential of cryogenic insulation for future aircraft powered by liquefied hydrogen. The article's author, industry journalist Steven Pacitti, interviewed Uģis Cābulis, Scientific Director of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), who shares the Institute's experience and research achievements in this field.

The article examines one of the key challenges on the path towards zero-emission aviation: how to safely store liquefied hydrogen at temperatures of approximately –253 °C. Achieving this requires materials capable of maintaining their properties under extreme cryogenic conditions while ensuring the safety and efficiency of the aircraft's fuel system.

In the interview, Uģis Cābulis discusses LSIWC's long-standing expertise in developing cryogenic insulation materials, including solutions already used to insulate the cryogenic tanks of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle. The article explains how this experience could provide the foundation for developing the next generation of materials for commercial aircraft powered by liquefied hydrogen.

The interview also highlights one of the most complex challenges in materials science: combining high material performance with more sustainable solutions. Uģis Cābulis explains that cryogenic applications require exceptional material stability and precisely controlled properties. As a result, researchers must find the right balance between safety, long-term durability and the use of renewable raw materials.

Urethanes Technology International is an international specialist publication covering the latest trends, innovations and technological developments in the polyurethane industry, featuring both academic research and industrial innovation.

Read the full article "Foam Flight" here or in the 2026 Automotive & Aerospace Special Issue of Urethanes Technology International.

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