Wet granulation for manufacture of thermal insulation material

An insulating structure, the insulating structure comprising:

• a structural envelope having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines an insulating cavity, wherein the insulating cavity defines an at least partial vacuum;
• dried silica-based agglomerates that are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each agglomerate of the dried silica-based agglomerates includes a silica-based powder insulation material that is water-densified using a temporary binder that includes at least water, the dried silica-based agglomerates being substantially free of the temporary binder;
• and
• a secondary insulation material that is disposed within interstitial spaces defined between the dried silica-based agglomerates, wherein the dried silica-based agglomerates define an interior structure that resists inward compressive forces exerted as a result of the at least partial vacuum defined within the insulating cavity.