Building materials from local natural resources for low-carbon renovation and healthier indoor comfort

We are looking to build/join a Horizon Europe Cluster 6 (Calls 2026) consortium focused on turning local natural resources into bio-based building materials (insulation, boards/panels, interior plasters/composites) that support low-carbon renovation, healthy indoor environments, and regional circular bioeconomy development.

Concept:
Create an end-to-end pathway from local sourcing to real renovation demonstrations:

• Bio-based insulation and panels based on locally available natural fibres/biomass and mineral binders, targeting thermal performance, moisture buffering, acoustics, durability, and fire safety.

• Sustainable sourcing protocols, local preprocessing, low-toxicity binders, scalable manufacturing, and end-of-life options (reuse/recycling/biodegradation pathways).

• Pilots in public and residential buildings (e.g., schools, municipal buildings, housing blocks) to monitor comfort and energy outcomes.

• Co-design with occupants, installers and facility managers; behavioural insights to reduce barriers (trust, perceived risk, aesthetics, maintenance); installer guidance and quality assurance.

• LCA(Life Cycle Assessment)/EPD(Environmental Product Declaration) development, cost/performance benchmarking vs conventional materials, and green public procurement templates.

What we can contribute:

• Local resource and stakeholder mapping (availability, seasonality, logistics, governance constraints)

• Demonstration site coordination and engagement with authorities/communities

• Sustainability framing (circularity indicators, sourcing safeguards, impact monitoring plan)

• Replication packages: toolkits, training materials, and rollout strategy for other regions

Partners we are seeking

• Materials R&D and testing labs (thermal/moisture/fire/acoustic performance)

• Manufacturers of bio-based insulation/panels and binder/additive SMEs

• Architecture/engineering firms + installer networks (renovation delivery)

• Building owners (municipalities, housing associations) for demo sites

• Social science/behaviour teams (co-design, adoption, communication)

• LCA/standardisation partners (EPDs, certification, procurement)