Abstract: A laminate of foam planks is prepared by bonding closed cell foam slabs to either side of a foraminous reinforcing skin, applying a second skin to one side of the laminate formed. In formation of the laminate, the ends of adjacent foam slabs are butted together under mild pressure. The resultant laminate is particularly suitable for the preparation of spirally generated thermal insulation about a vessel wherein the second skin is disposed remote from the vessel. An insulation strip or laminate having very satisfactory performance is obtained with a minimal number of processing steps.