HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-01 | Bio-based Ceramic Building Envelope for Thermal Comfort Using Hemp Waste

HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-01

Bio-based Ceramic Building Envelope Solutions for Thermal Comfort Using Hemp Waste. Transforming industrial hemp waste into beautiful, bio-based ceramic building envelope solutions for climate-resilient, low-carbon and thermally comfortable buildings.

Selçuk University (Türkiye) is preparing a proposal as coordinator for the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-01: Sustainable, Inclusive, Affordable and Beautiful Solutions for Thermal Comfort in Buildings (deadline: 1 December 2026).

The project aims to develop an innovative bio-based ceramic building envelope system by valorising two different fractions of industrial hemp waste.

The first innovation focuses on architectural ceramic tiles glazed with hemp ash (Solution A). Hemp combustion ash — rich in CaO, SiO₂ and K₂O — is incorporated into ceramic glaze formulations to develop durable, aesthetically appealing ceramic surfaces for façade and interior cladding, replacing conventional raw materials and increasing the value of agricultural waste. The glazed tiles are designed to meet all current external cladding performance requirements (EN 14411) while fulfilling the New European Bauhaus criteria of beauty, sustainability and inclusion.

The second innovation focuses on porous ceramic insulation elements produced using hemp hurd (shiv) as a sacrificial pore-forming agent (Solution B). During firing, the hemp hurd burns out, creating a lightweight porous ceramic structure with improved thermal insulation (λ ≤ 0.15 W/(m·K)) and acoustic insulation performance (Rw). These ceramic elements contribute to thermal comfort, energy efficiency, fire safety and long-term durability.

Both solutions are rooted in Anatolian and Mediterranean vernacular building traditions and advance from TRL 4 to TRL 7 over 36 months.

The project proposes an integrated ceramic building envelope system that combines architectural aesthetics with functional thermal insulation, promotes the circular use of agricultural hemp waste, and supports the objectives of the New European Bauhaus and the European Green Deal.

The developed solutions will be demonstrated in two climatic zones — Konya, Türkiye (continental semi-arid) and Ruvo del Monte, Italy (Mediterranean) — including applications on existing and cultural heritage buildings. Environmental, technical and socio-economic performance will be evaluated through life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), thermal comfort analysis (ISO 7730 / EN 16798-1) and participatory post-occupancy evaluation.

Current Consortium (10 confirmed partners — 6 countries)

• Selçuk University (TR) – Coordinator: ceramic materials R&D, glaze development, porous ceramic insulation elements, project management

• Konya Metropolitan Municipality (TR) – Demonstration site (continental semi-arid climate, Seljuk heritage building)

• Municipality of Ruvo del Monte (IT) – Demonstration site (Mediterranean climate, historic cultural heritage building)

• Çumra Anadolu Hemp Production & Marketing Cooperative (TR) – Industrial hemp waste supplier (hemp ash and hemp shiv)

• Kütahya Seramik (TR) – Industrial ceramic manufacturer: pre-industrial scale-up of Solutions A and B, EN-standard type testing, CE-marking pathway, demo-site material production

• REDINN (ES) – Innovation management, dissemination and exploitation

• ICCV — Institutul de Cercetare a Calitatii Vietii (RO) – SSH lead: participatory co-design, vulnerability and affordability assessment

• Advanced Social Innovation ApS (DK) – SSH/housing: affordable housing expertise, vulnerable-group co-design

• Cracow University of Technology (PL) – Building physics: thermal comfort analysis, hygrothermal testing, EnergyPlus/TRNSYS simulation

• Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (DE) – LCA/LCC: life cycle assessment (EN 15804+A2), life cycle cost modelling, Independent Critical Reviewer

Partners Still Sought

The consortium is largely complete. We are still looking for partners with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Building physics and accredited thermal performance testing (EN 16798-1, hot-box / heat-flow meter) — to strengthen WP4 EN-standard testing and WP6 thermal comfort analysis

• Energy monitoring and kiln energy optimisation — to support demonstration monitoring and LCA energy-source sensitivity analysis

• Architecture, heritage conservation and urban design — to support co-design cycles at demonstration sites and heritage building interventions

We are particularly interested in institutions from EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries not yet represented in the consortium, who are willing to take an active role in work package leadership or demonstration site activities.