New foam made from discarded wood can decompose in soil within months

In Canada, wood waste from logging and areas affected by wildfires is finding an unexpected fate. A new pilot in the country has begun converting this material into a lightweight, biodegradable wood foam designed to replace products made with plastic foam, according to information released by the University of British Columbia (UBC). While discarded plastic foams can remain in landfills for over 500 years, this foam is designed to decompose in soil within a few months. The project is aimed at protecting products in the packaging industry along with working as insulation panels for the construction industry.From wood waste to foam blocksThe process begins with softwoods such as spruce, pine and fir, a common conifer species in North America. Then the plant uses heat, mechanical processing and minimal amounts of chemical additives to transform the fibres into a lightweight material.