Development and testing of rigid polyurethane foam compositions as thermal insulation materials, combining renewable and recyclable resources
Project summary
The aim of the project is to develop a composition of solid PPU as a thermal insulation material, combining renewable and recyclable resources and using 4th generation swelling agents, and to observe the developed thermal insulation material under realistic conditions in the Latvian climate.
The research project is implemented within the project "Development of Innovative Products and Technologies in the framework of the Smart Materials Competence Centre”, CFLA contract Nr. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/
Total budget of the project: 405560 EUR, incl., 280316 EUR European Union funding.
Project implementation
1st quarter activities (01.10.2024.-31.12.2024)
Within the framework of Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004, “Development and Testing of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Compositions as Thermal Insulation Materials by Combining Renewable and Recyclable Resources,” the synthesis of polyols was refined on a laboratory scale during the period from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, by combining renewable and recyclable materials. The optimized synthesis process is straightforward and adheres to the principles of green chemistry. The resulting polyols are suitable for further production of polyurethane foam.
2nd quarter activities (01.01.2025 – 31.03.2025)
Within Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004, “Development and Testing of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Compositions as Thermal Insulation Materials by Combining Renewable and Recyclable Resources,” work carried out during the period 01.01.2025–31.03.2025 focused on identifying the most suitable 4th-generation blowing agent for rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) formulations. The resulting thermal insulation properties indicate good potential for the application of these foams in the construction sector.
In this reporting period, the technical design for the demonstrator units was completed. These demonstrators will be used to evaluate the performance and stability of the developed insulation materials under real outdoor conditions representative of the Latvian climate.
In cooperation with the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, the project aims to develop RPUF formulations incorporating renewable and recyclable raw materials together with 4th-generation blowing agents, and to assess their behaviour in real-world environmental exposure. The research activities are implemented by VMKC Ltd. under Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004.
Within Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004, “Development and testing of rigid polyurethane foam compositions as thermal insulation materials by combining renewable and recyclable resources”, the activity performed at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) during 01.04.2025–30.06.2025 involved scaling up the polyol synthesis process to a 50 L reactor. Five pilot batches were prepared. The most suitable formulations were those in which the polyol contained 50–52% renewable and recyclable raw materials. A Technological Regulation describing the synthesis procedure and operational parameters for the 50 L reactor has been compiled.
The activity of SIA Ritols consisted of constructing two demonstrator units (model houses). These demonstrators will be used to assess the performance of the developed thermal insulation materials under real outdoor conditions characteristic of the Latvian climate and to benchmark them against commercially available reference products.
The overall aim of Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004, implemented in cooperation with SIA Ritols, is to develop rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) insulation formulations incorporating renewable and recyclable components and 4th-generation blowing agents, and to evaluate the materials under real environmental exposure in Latvia.
4th quarter activities (01.07.2025 – 30.09.2025)
Within Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004, “Development and testing of rigid polyurethane foam compositions as thermal insulation materials by combining renewable and recyclable resources”, work performed during 01.07.2025–30.09.2025 focused on determining the long-term storage stability of the developed polyurethane foam system.
During this reporting period, the previously constructed demonstrators—used to monitor the behaviour of the material under Latvian climatic conditions—were observed in free-flow mode, i.e., without compensating heat losses by auxiliary heating.
The overall aim of the project, carried out in cooperation with the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, is to develop rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) insulation formulations incorporating renewable and recyclable raw materials and 4th-generation blowing agents, and to evaluate their performance under real environmental exposure in Latvia. The research activities are implemented by VMKC Ltd. within Project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/004.
