We discussed already about dynamic thermal insulation in a previous post. We already mentioned that it is not only the thermal resistance but also the inside air quality which is important.

But Prof. Dr. Ing. Helmut Bartussek already published in 1982 about the potential of using open porous materials for the construction of healthy buildings and animal sheds. In fact, animal wellness was his first concern, like shown in the following book.

I guess that his concern about animal wellness introduced him into the world of ventilation through the thermal insulation. In a paper about a roof construction, the principle is well explained. But not only the improved U-value  but also condensation and air quality are discussed. In a second contribution in a magazine for building biology, we find a discussion with an architect about the concept. In another paper, the use of this principle is discussed in roof, walls and floor. The problem of contaminated building air is discussed together with the improved insulation is completely published in another contribution.

I found the first contribution in 1982 when passive housing was totally not a topic. Today, the technique is still promising but not accepted generally. It is quite normal that the classical thermal insulation world will not be in favor for passive housing with only 15 cm cheap thermal insulation.  I also understand that most people are not interested to live in air, sucked through mineral fiber material. I guess that the world is waiting for open porous cellular glass, produced from waste glass with harmless foaming agents. In that perspective, I am motivated by the nice reaction of Gaia arkitekter in Norway.

We receive regularly a question about how to fix cellular glass boards on a concrete or brick wall.

At GLAPOR, PCI PECIMOR DK is advised to be used. This product, produced by PCI, a branch of BASF,  is a two component system based on bitumen, polymer and cement. Hardening can proceed behind (air tight) the cellular glass plates. The product is also used for XPS plates and advised by BASF. One vessel contains 28 kg product and costs about 60€.

I could find a description pdf in

• English
• Danish
• Dutch
• German

A typical application is as follows. The cellular glass board 4  is installed with PCI PECIMOR DK (2,3) on the concrete or brick wall with a consumption up to 4 kg/m² cellular glass or about 9€/m² cost. The price of this product is certainly not negligible in the total thermal insulation cost if we know that 10cm GLAPOR cellular glass is priced about 20€/m².

The product can also be used as cell filling materail to coat the cellular glass were needed. For example, high compressive strength GLAPOR cellular glass can be used to insulate in a cost effective way the foundation cold bridge after coating with this product.

It took some time to start up a new process for cellular glass on a real prototype but today the technology is mature. Both gravel and boards production are running at maximum capacity to supply the many projects of our customers. Customers are satisfied with the low cost cellular glass, exactly meeting their expectations while the investor has still a nice return.

The GLAPOR community is like a family, where work is (most of the time) fun. People from Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland, Kazahstan, Ukraine and Russia are working together under the inspiring leadership of Walter Frank. In fact, GLAPOR is the Europe of our dreams without borders, giving welfare to its employees, satisfying its customers and investors and improving nature by recycling glass with a minimum use of energy and negligible consumption of fresh raw materials.

The market started to boom after learning that GLAPOR cellular glass has a comparable price with high density mineral wool with the addition of a lot of advantages like

• high compressive strength
• vapour / gas tight
• water tight
• stable thermal conductivity
• absolute natural and forced convection free

The polymer foams, more and more pushed in the corner by fire incidents have choosen for GLAPOR cellular glass as sandwich partner. GLAPOR cellular glass on top of KINGSPAN PIR is an acceptable solution for a flat roof, eliminating the risk to loose a complete building in a fire incident during a small repair of the water proofing membrane on a roof. On top of that, GLAPOR cellular glass delivers a hard surface under the membrane.

Foamed glass gravel combined with the RDS boards of GLAPOR guarantees a perfect solution for floor insulation without any risk of heat loss due to draft and water ingress.
For the future, low cost high compressive strength elements will be introduced on the market to eliminate cold bridges at the foundations and other problem zones. Rendering products, designed for GLAPOR cellular glass will be available for the construction of non-combustible facades.

As a consequence, GLAPOR will extend its production capacity in Mitterteich, invest further in R&D and will build new plants all over the world. For all these expansions, GLAPOR is hiring people to join its community.