Abstract: A process for producing shaped bodies having thermally insulating properties and based on foamed alkali metal silicate particles includes silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) and alkali metal oxide (M.sub.2 O) (M is an alkali metal) in a molar ratio of from 2 to 4.5 (SiO.sub.2 :M.sub.2 O), and includes mixing 100 parts by weight of the foamed alkali metal silicate particles with an aqueous solution of monoaluminum phosphate (Al(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4).sub.3) in such a way that the molar ratio Si:Al in the mixture ranges from 1 to 60, placing the mixture in a preselected mold and compacting the mixture to from 20% to 80% of the original volume to give a shaped body and heating the shaped body to a temperature of from 100.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. until a chemical reaction bond between the alkali metal silicate particles and the monoaluminum phosphate has taken place. The shaped bodies so produced can be used as thermal and sound insulation material.