Pyongyang, October 20 (KCNA) -- Expanded vermiculite is widely used as functional building material in the DPRK.

It, made of underground natural material, is mixed with cement and other materials to be applied to wall and ceiling as lag.

Expanded vermiculite is more than 1.5 times higher than cement and three times than foam prefab part in heat insulation.

It is also good in arresting sounds and strongly resistant to fire.

When it is used in concrete tamping, reinforcement bars are economized.

Paints made of vermiculite can prevent metal and wood things from being molten, frozen, rusted and rotten.

Expanded vermiculite was applied to the Korean Computer Centre, East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, Paektusan Architectural Institute, Pyongyang Circus Theatre, Yanggakdo International Hotel and other buildings.