University of Maine creates wood-based foam to replace plastic cooler insulation

Graduate student Quazeem Tiamiyu at the University of Maine's Laboratory of Renewable Nanomaterials has developed a foam made primarily from wood fiber, finely ground wood flour and cellulose nanofibrils. The material, produced by blending the ingredients with a surfactant and molding them into cooler inserts, demonstrated thermal insulation performance almost equal to conventional petroleum‑based polyurethane foam used in most drink coolers.

The new wood‑based foam offers environmental advantages: it relies on renewable wood resources, avoids toxic chemicals used in polyurethane production, and is more biodegradable, potentially reducing landfill waste and exposure risks for workers. Researchers note that the foam could also create a market for by‑products from Maine's lumber mills. However, challenges such as durability and large‑scale manufacturing remain before commercial adoption.

If scaled, the technology could lower dependence on fossil‑derived plastics in everyday products and provide a safer, more sustainable alternative for cooler insulation.