Biodegradable synthetic insulation introduced

PrimaLoft Inc. announces that it has introduced PrimaLoft Bio, a synthetic insulation made from 100 percent recycled, biodegradable fibers. The idea was born in 2014 when a PrimaLoft product manager said during a weekly research and development meeting, “Why can’t we just make a jacket insulation that we can bury in the backyard?”

PrimaLoft then began the process of designing fibers that are more attractive to naturally occurring microbes found in landfills or the ocean. The company reports that microbes eat away at the PrimaLoft Bio fibers, returning the insulation to nature. The biodegradation process leaves behind water, methane, carbon dioxide and biomass (expired microorganisms, organic waste).

In accelerated test conditions simulating a landfill environment (ASTM D5511), these fibers have reached 80.3 percent biodegradation in 394 days, the company says.

PrimaLoft Inc. is a material technology solutions company that conducts research and development of comfort solutions with high-performance insulations and fabrics. The proprietary technology is expected to be available to consumers in fall 2020.