LiGrA Expanded Glass Insulation — Proven Performance, Made Sustainable

Introduction

Expanded glass insulation is one of the most effective materials for roofs, walls, and floors, combining low thermal conductivity with non-combustibility and moisture resistance. The best-known example is Foamglas® (Owens Corning), widely used in Europe and the US for decades.

But Foamglas relies largely on virgin cullet, with high production energy and long-distance shipping to Asia. LiGrA (Lightweight Green Aggregates) offers the same insulation performance, produced locally from recycled glass fines and industrial ash. Through foaming and sintering, LiGrA creates lightweight, porous insulation that not only reduces energy use in buildings but also encapsulates heavy metals from waste streams — preventing leaching and making it safer for long-term use.

The Challenge with Conventional Insulation

• Plastic foams (EPS, XPS, PUR): Good R-values, but flammable, fossil-based, and release toxic smoke.
  

• Mineral wool: Fire-safe, but sheds fibers, is harder to recycle, and is often imported.
  

• Foamglas® (conventional): Excellent insulation, but energy- and cost-intensive, with a carbon footprint tied to virgin cullet.
  
  

Builders in Asia need fire-safe, moisture-resistant insulation that is cost-effective and locally sourced.

Real-World Precedent

Expanded glass insulation is already proven at scale:

• Germany & Scandinavia: Foamglas used in passive houses, flat roofs, and basements, valued for airtightness and durability.
  

• UK: Foamglas installed in BREEAM-certified buildings, praised for its non-combustibility.
  

• Japan: Pilot studies tested foamed glass boards for residential housing, showing stable insulation and safety.
  
  

These projects confirm the technical and market viability of expanded glass insulation.

The LiGrA Solution

LiGrA insulation boards and granules match the performance of Foamglas, while adding sustainability:

• Thermal conductivity: 0.04–0.06 W/m·K (same as mineral wool).
  

• Non-combustible: No flame spread, no toxic smoke.
  

• Moisture resistance: Stable in humid conditions — ideal for tropical Asia.
  

• Encapsulation: Heavy metals from industrial ash locked in during sintering.
  

• Circular economy: Turns waste into safe, high-performance insulation.
  
  

Hypothetical Project: Green Mark Office Tower, Singapore

Scope: A 12-storey, 10,000 m² office building retrofits roof and wall insulation with LiGrA boards.

Insulated area:

• Roof: 2,000 m² (100 mm)
  

• Walls: 6,000 m² (80 mm)
  

• Total = 8,000 m²
  
  

1) Cost Comparison

• Mineral wool system: USD $38/m² × 8,000 = $304,000
  

• LiGrA system: USD $32/m² × 8,000 = $256,000
  

• Upfront saving = USD $48,000
  
  

2) Energy Savings

• Baseline cooling: 300 kWh/m²·yr × 10,000 m² = 3,000,000 kWh/year
  

• LiGrA insulation → 10% reduction = 300,000 kWh/year saved
  

• At $0.25/kWh → USD $75,000/year saved
  
  

3) Carbon Reduction

• 300,000 kWh saved × 0.40 kg CO₂/kWh = 120 t CO₂/year avoided
  

• Over 5 years: 600 t CO₂
  
  

4) Waste Diversion & Encapsulation

• 680 m³ of LiGrA insulation produced.
  

• Equivalent to >500 tons of recycled glass and ash diverted from landfill.
  

• Heavy metals (~10 kg Pb equivalent in this volume) locked into a vitrified matrix → no leaching in tests.
  
  

Before vs After 

👉 “Foamglas proved it works — LiGrA makes it local, cheaper, and sustainable. $48,000 upfront savings, $75,000 energy savings every year, and 500 tons of waste recycled.”

Conclusion

Expanded glass insulation is already trusted in Europe, the UK, and Japan. LiGrA evolves this proven solution by producing it locally from waste streams, lowering costs, and adding the environmental benefit of heavy metal stabilization. With LiGrA, insulation is no longer just about saving energy — it’s also about turning waste into safe, high-performance building materials.