PROJECTS

Context

According to UNEP, buildings produce about 37% of global CO2 emissions, contributing to environmental pollution throughout the entire lifecycle—material production, construction, use, and end-of-life. In line with the Circular Economy Package, Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the Construction Products Regulation, the use of bio-based construction and building materials presents a sustainable solution for mitigating climate change while reducing the overall environmental footprint of the construction industry. However, several challenges hinder the adoption of biobased construction and building materials. One major issue is their limited durability when exposed to natural weathering, along with poor mechanical strength and inconsistent functional efficiency in critical areas like fire resistance, moisture control, and overall structural integrity. These weaknesses make it difficult for bio-based materials to meet the demanding performance criteria required for large-scale construction projects. Additionally, current environmental assessments often overlook key factors such as the end-of-life phase and long-term application potential of bio-based materials, limiting a comprehensive understanding of their full lifecycle benefits. Financial barriers also impede their adoption, as high production costs make these materials less competitive compared to conventional options. Furthermore, there is a lack of focus on the long-term benefits that bio-based solutions provide in terms of sustainability and circularity, which could offset the initial financial challenges if properly considered.

Goal

The BIOS MATER aims to develop and demonstrate advanced bio-based construction products and building elements with tailored functional properties such as durability, fire resistance, water barriers, acoustic and thermal insulation, lightweight structure, mechanical strength, and antimicrobial features, ensuring safety and sustainability.

The project is organized into four production routes, each targeting a specific application:

-Route A: Bio-based core products and sandwich structures for flooring
-Route B: Bio-based wall panels and flooring tiles
-Route C: Façade panels made from natural fiber-reinforced composites
-Route D: Biodegradable, plantable tiles from bio-based foams for drywall panels

The BIOS MATER approach is built on four main pillars: (1) innovation in bio-based building materials, (2) integration and expansion of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, (3) circular economy integration and scalability, and (4) market adoption driven by transparency and stakeholder engagement.

BIOS MATER will test and demonstrate the compatibility of these products with existing construction practices and regulatory frameworks at the controlled real-world application of a DEMOpark. The project also incorporates stakeholder engagement, training, and awareness programs, with 22 partners from 10 EU countries working together to achieve these goals across 7 work packages.

Expected impacts

- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% until 2038.
- Improve indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency by 20%.
- Boost the end-user and consumer acceptance of bio-based construction products by 3.5% until 2038.
- Increase employment in the European bio-based material production by 5% after the completion of the project.
- Generate revenues from bio-based construction products, projected at €41,356,800 by 2031.