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 responsible for a significant share of CO₂ emissions and material waste, making the need for greener alternatives urgent. By developing new technologies based on renewable feedstocks (including pine chemistry, waste cooking oil, lignin, vegetable oils, and carbohydrates), HIBISCUS aims to demonstrate that high-performance building materials can be both sustainable and technically competitive.
A European consortium for the ecological transition
The project brings together a strong consortium of research and technology organisations, larges companies , , SMEs and cluster from five European countries. This diverse collaboration ensures the scientific excellence, industrial expertise, and market relevance needed to accelerate large-scale adoption of bio-based construction materials.
Five new bio-based demonstrators
HIBISCUS will deliver five pilot-scale construction products:
Two waterproofing membranes (pine resins, waste cooking oil)
Two insulation boards (vegetable oils, lignin-based components)
One carpentry solution (bio-based polymers, vegetable oils, lignin)
These solutions are designed to reach an average of 80% bio-based content and deliver a 25% improved environmental profile, meeting industry standards in fire resistance, durability, and technical performance.
A Strong alignment with EU sustainability goals
The project is funded under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU) with a total budget of €9.2 million, including €7.4 million in EU co-funding. The initiative directly supports the European Green Deal, climate targets, and the EU’s strategy for a sustainable bioeconomy.
As construction demand grows and climate pressures intensify, HIBISCUS aims to demonstrate that the materials of tomorrow can be renewable, circular, and safe, without compromising performance.
