MilaFoam - a non-combustible lightweight insulation board

The tragedy at Grenfell Tower in 2017 highlighted the dangers associated with the use of combustible insulation in high-rise dwellings, giving rise to the interdiction of their use in buildings taller than 18m. PIR insulation is extensively used as a convenient, energy efficient method of insulating buildings, but is inherently combustible and was implicated in the Grenfell disaster.

A safe non-combustible alternative to foam insulation is a critical requirement for the construction industry to meet fire regulations and improve fire safety.

**MilaFoam** is a mineral based material that has been shown in the laboratory to be totally non-combustible and with the potential of being fabricated as an ultra-low density rigid foam panel with a thermal conductivity of the order of 0.02W/m.K. When exposed to high temperatures, prototype versions of **MilaFoam** does not combust, deform, or emit any gases, indicating that it will not only be Euroclass A for fire resistance, but also for safety in terms of smoke inhalation. In addition, the constituent ingredients and the manufacturing process are intrinsically low energy, meaning that **MilaFoam** is not only low energy in use, but also has low embodied energy.

This project seeks to take **MilaFoam** from the laboratory through to a prototype capable of being manufactured at high volume using a modified version of the same plant currently used to manufacture PIR insulation. This means that current insulation manufacturers can start to manufacture and distribute **MilaFoam** very soon after taking out a licence. Since **MilaFoam** has the same physical characteristics as PIR insulation (lightweight, robust, rigid, highly thermally efficient boards -- but non-combustible), it can be used to rapidly replace existing flammable insulation using the same fixing methods. This will make it a highly cost effective solution to restoring the fire-safety of high rise buildings. Similarly, builders who are familiar with the installation of PIR insulation will not have to learn new skills when installing **MilaFoam**.

**MilaFoam** uses low environmental impact materials that are readily available at low cost, and which have a lower environmental impact than PIR which is made from Benzene (a carcinogenic extract from crude oil). This means it is not only beneficial to the pocket but also to human health and that of the environment.