Healthier Model-Making Materials

Isomalt is a product that is made by heating beet sugar, reducing it to disaccharide, then hydrogenating it using a catalytic converter. The end result is a sugar-like substance with lower levels of glucose than traditional sugar. Used most commonly in cake decorating, isomalt has the potential to replace resins or acrylic in model making.

Seaweed insulation provides an organic alternative to materials such as mineral wool. Seaweed mats are formed using heat and high-pressure compression. It allows for a long lifetime and for repeated recycling, either reused as insulation or transformed into 2D or 3D designs. Advance Nonwoven's Seaweed Insulation is Cradle to Cradle Gold Certified. Their standard product contains no added flame retardants or antimicrobials. However, because these additives are available upon request, it is best to emphasize a desire for no added treatments when ordering the material.

Made primarily from U.S. grown, non-GMO cornstarch, Green Cell Foam is a healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based foams.

This material is compostable, biodegradable, and water soluble.

Its manufacture requires 70% less energy and generates 80% less greenhouse gas than traditional foams.

Thermacork is a 100% natural, renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable rigid-insulation material produced from natural cork. Under the effect of pressure and superheated steam, cork granules expand and are agglomerated, originating blocks, avoiding any type of added adhesives. Cork forests benefit the environment, acting as habitats for a diverse range of species and providing a carbon sink that captures CO2 and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Like most cork producers, Amorim Isolamentos, S.A. is based in Portugal. Thermacork's R-value is declared at 4/inch.

BioFoam is a plant-based alternative to traditional EPS foams. This product is made from PLA (polylactic acid), a type of polymer derived from the production of sugar cane. Beads of PLA (BioBeads) are made through the fermentation process of the sugar cane, and then are expanded with CO2 into EPS-like pearls. BioFoam is the first CO2 neutral foam in the world, and is Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified.

Ecovative uses mycelium as a binder for regionally sourced non-food agricultural waste to make a bio-based alternative to plastic foam packaging and insulation materials. MycoComposite is biodegradable, naturally flame resistant, and water resistant. Ecovative licenses this material to various partners such as Mushroom Packaging, Magic Mushrooms, Grown.bio, Bio Fab, and Grow.bio to create packaging, insulation, furniture pieces and kits.

Blick's Multi-Purpose White Glue works on both porous and non-porous materials. This product has an AP certification from ACMI, which means it has been evaluated by a medical expert and certified as non-toxic.

Blick's Glue Sticks dry clear and create a permanent bond. They are suitable for use on paper, cardboard, and fabric. This product has an AP certification from ACMI, indicating it has been evaluated by medical & toxicological experts as non-toxic.

Blick's Multi-Purpose White Glue works on both porous and non-porous materials. This product has an AP certification from ACMI, indicating it has been evaluated by medical & toxicological experts as non-toxic.

Plaster of Paris, also known as gypsum plaster, is a healthier choice for casting materials. DAP's Plaster of Paris is made from gypsum, limestone, and quartz. It sets in 20-30 minutes without shrinking and is intended for interior use. This product is ideal for hobby, molds, and casts.

Columbia Forest Product's PureBond hardwood plywood is formaldehyde-free, and is instead made with a soy-based binder. This North American-made product is also cost-competitive with standard plywood products, making it a fantastic healthier alternative. It contains 95% Biobased content according to Bioprefered.gov.

Classic Core® is a combination core panel construction where cross bands of thin MDF are utilized in place of veneer cross bands.

Classic Core® can be manufactured with bonded crossbands which do not contain added formaldehyde. PureBond Classic Core® may contribute to LEED® 2009 credit IEQ 4.4 and conforms to CARB II exempt emission requirements called for in LEED V4. It contains 95% Biobased Content according to Bioprefered.gov.

Sustainably harvested basswood is a healthy choice for model-making. Midwest Product’s basswood is harvested in Northern Michigan and Wisconsin, making it a preferable domestic wood.

Wheatpaste is a natural, non-toxic adhesive. It has been in use for centuries and is commonly used to put up posters, make paper-mâché and collage, and for archival quality bookbinding. Playbox’s product is made from real wheat and is free of preservatives. It is sold in powder form and can be activated by adding water. Alternatively, wheat paste can be easily and inexpensively made at home. There are many DIY recipes, including this one, online. The gluten in wheat flour lends a permanent bond to wheat paste. Changing the ingredients will alter the permanence of the adhesive.

Stockmar’s Modelling Beeswax is a nondrying wax that warms in your hand to create a reusable molding material. The product carries an AP Seal. It was developed for use in early childhood education, and was designed to be non-toxic and safe for this sensitive audience. In addition to meeting the toxicology standards of the AP Seal, Stockmar commissions an independent residual analysis laboratory to test every batch of ingredients that they use in their products.

Ampersand Art’s hardboard is a healthy, sustainable option for model-making. Sometimes referred to by the trade name Masonite, hardboard is a composite wood material that’s made by compressing wood dust. Ampersand Art’s flat panel board is 1/8” thick. It is NAUF, meaning it is made without urea formaldehyde and is made from FSC certified wood.

Ampersand Art’s clayboard is a healthy, sustainable option for model-making. This product is made of the company's 1/8” thick flat hardboard panel, also called Masonite, coated in a layer of kaolin clay. The hardboard is NAUF and is made with FSC certified wood. The clay finish is sanded to a very smooth surface, making it ideal for painting.

Paperfoam is a packaging material made from starch, FSC-certified cellulose fibers, water and a proprietary pre-mix. It contains 88% biobased content, according to Bioprefered.gov. It can be recycled within the paper stream and is home compostable. As declared by the manufacturer, the material, including the pre-mix, is free from formaldehyde, solvents, PFAS, flame retardants, bisphenols, phthalates, and heavy metals. It can be injection moulded and embossed.