Insulation makes buildings more comfortable and energy-efficient, but its environmental performance depends on more than what happens after installation. Buildings and construction account for around 32% of global energy demand and 34% of global CO₂ emissions[1]. Insulation can reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling, but producing an insulation material also requires raw materials,… Continue reading Rethinking insulation materials: from environmental impacts to bio-based solutions
From everyday cooking to new industrial applications, used cooking oil can become a resource for fuels, chemicals and materials. After frying a meal, the oil left behind may seem to have reached the end of its useful life. Yet households, restaurants and food manufacturers generate a waste stream that still contains valuable molecules. Collecting this… Continue reading From kitchens to construction: The second life of used cooking oil
New research suggests that the biggest barriers are no longer technological. For years, discussions around bio-based construction materials focused on one question: Can they really compete with conventional materials? Today, the answer is increasingly yes. Engineered timber, wood fibre insulation, cellulose insulation, bio-based polyurethanes and many other renewable materials have already demonstrated their technical performance in real construction applications. Yet despite growing scientific evidence… Continue reading Why aren’t bio-based construction materials becoming mainstream ?
The construction sector in Europe: a major industry facing major challenges. The construction sector is one of the pillars of the European economy, but also one of its biggest environmental challenges. A key sector with heavy footprint Construction represents 11.5% of the EU’s Gross Value Added[1], shaping the spaces where we live, work and connect.… Continue reading Sustainable construction in Europe: Can bio-based materials change the game?
The HIBISCUS project has officially launched, marking a major step toward transforming the construction industry through innovative, bio-based materials. Coordinated by SOPREMA and supported by eleven European partners and one affiliated entity , the project aims to reduce dependence on fossil resources and accelerate the shift toward circular, sustainable building solutions. The construction sector is… Continue reading HIBISCUS Project Launched: Europe invests in bio-based construction materials for a low-carbon future
HIBISCUS is redefining the future of building envelopes by replacing fossil-based components with next-generation bio-based alternatives. The project’s mission is clear: deploy safer, circular materials at scale while ensuring economic viability and compliance with stringent European standards. A complete european value chain HIBISCUS aims to build a fully integrated European value chain, from feedstock conversion… Continue reading From Renewable Feedstocks to High-Performance Building Materials: Inside the HIBISCUS Innovation Roadmap
The University of Cambridge is a world-renowned public research university located in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities globally. Cambridge is composed of 31 autonomous colleges and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across disciplines such as sciences, humanities, engineering, and social sciences.… Continue reading KRATON
The Université Bretagne Sud (UBS) is a multidisciplinary university located in Brittany, France, with campuses in Lorient, Vannes, and Pontivy. It focuses on innovation through research and education, particularly in fields like digital sciences, materials engineering, and environmental studies. UBS collaborates closely with industries and regional partners to drive applied research and technology transfer. With… Continue reading INDRESMAT
UBFC is a public group of institutions, composed among others of UFC – University of Franche‐Comté and ENSMM. These three institutes compose the FEMTO-ST Laboratory which bring together research departments in the areas of mechanics, materials, mechatronics, electronics, acoustics, opto-electronics, energy, and time-frequency systems (micro-chemical gas sensors).
Texteis Penedo is a Portuguese textile company specializing in high-quality home textiles, including jacquard fabrics for curtains, upholstery, and decorative items. Located in the Guimarães region, the heart of Portugal’s textile industry, the company combines traditional craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing technologies. Known for its innovation and sustainable practices, Texteis Penedo collaborates with designers and international… Continue reading CNRS
This project has received funding from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU) under grant agreement No 101214084. The JU receives support from the European Union Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
