A process for producing an elastic silicate foam by foaming a mixture containing from 10 to 80% by weight of an aqueous dispersion A) of SiO2 particles which have an average particle diameter in the range from 1 to 100 nm, from 5 to 30% by weight of a polymer B) dissolved in water, from 10 to 50% by weight of a blowing agent C), from 1 to 5% by weight of an emulsifier D), from 0.01 to 5% by weight of a crosslinker E) which is capable of reacting with the polymer B), and also the foam which can be obtained by the process and its use.