Aerogel Products and High-Strength Polyurethane Cushion Blocks: Core Materials Driving the Passive Housing Energy-Saving Revolution

1. Energy-Saving Needs and Challenges in Passive Housing

Passive houses aim to achieve extremely low energy consumption through high-efficiency insulation, thermal bridge-free design, and airtight building envelopes to maintain stable indoor temperatures. Traditional materials such as rock wool and polystyrene boards require substantial thickness and pose high thermal bridge risks, limiting both lightweight construction and energy efficiency.

2. Aerogel Products: Innovative Materials for Passive Housing

Superior Thermal Insulation

With a thermal conductivity as low as 0.015–0.025 W/(m·K)—only one-third to one-quarter that of conventional materials—aerogel significantly reduces wall thickness (5 mm aerogel ≈ 100 mm rock wool), saving space and enhancing design flexibility.

Thermal Bridge Isolation

Aerogel felt and coatings can be directly applied to structural nodes (beams, columns, door and window frames), blocking heat conduction paths. Tests show aerogel reduces thermal bridge heat loss by over 60%.

Lightweight and Durable

With a density of ~200 kg/m³, aerogel reduces structural load. Its compressive strength exceeds 0.5 MPa and service life surpasses 25 years, meeting the long-term stability requirements of passive housing.

Environmental Sustainability

Production has shifted toward solvent-free processes, enabling recyclability and compliance with EU green building certifications (LEED, BREEAM).

3. High-Strength Polyurethane Cushion Blocks: Invisible Guardians Against Thermal Bridges

In passive houses, high-strength polyurethane pads (density ≥ 600 kg/m³, compressive strength ≥ 8 MPa) are used at structural connections such as bolts and brackets. With a thermal conductivity of just 0.035 W/(m·K), they effectively block thermal bridges created by metal components.

Examples:

• Embedding cushion blocks into wall insulation anchors reduces thermal bridge effects by 80%.
• Installing them under rooftop photovoltaic brackets cuts indoor temperature fluctuations by 3–5 °C.

4. Future Applications and Market Prospects

Integration with Smart Building Systems

Future aerogel products could incorporate temperature-sensitive coatings linked to intelligent climate control systems, dynamically adjusting insulation performance for daily and seasonal variations.

Policy-Driven Market Growth

The EU’s “2030 Climate Target” mandates near-zero energy consumption for new buildings. China’s Technical Standards for Near-Zero Energy Buildings are accelerating adoption. According to Grand View Research, the global aerogel market is projected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2027.

Standardization of Polyurethane Cushion Blocks

With passive house certification systems such as PHI gaining traction, polyurethane pads may become mandatory for structural connectors, driving industry standardization.

Through complementary innovation, aerogel products and high-strength polyurethane cushion blocks provide a “dual-layer” energy-saving strategy: aerogel delivers large-surface thermal insulation, while polyurethane blocks target thermal bridge hotspots. Together, they are poised to reshape the building energy efficiency industry and contribute to global carbon neutrality goals.