About the project

A radical approach to using natural construction materials at scale
The ISOBIO project proposes an innovative strategy to bring bio-based construction materials into the mainstream.
A key innovation consists of the use of pre-treated bio-based aggregates for construction, which include insulation materials, hygrothermal and moisture buffering materials, binders, sol-gel and resins.

ISOBIO is supported by the European Union Horizon2020 program, within the ‘Materials for Building Envelopes’ call for Energy Efficient Buildings.

Objectives

ISOBIO will combine existing technologies in order to develop bio-based panels and renders with high insulating properties, low embodied energy, low embodied carbon and hygrothermally efficient. The project objectives are twofold:

From a scientific standpoint: ISOBIO partners aim to assess and further advance the state-of-the-art in bio-based insulation materials, hygrothermal and moisture buffering materials, binders, sol-gel and resins.

From a technological perspective: the focus is on developing new sustainable construction materials that, through a series of prototype-level demonstrations, will show significant social, environmental and financial benefits in the building sphere.

Thus, the ultimate goal of the project is to optimize the construction process and create more energy-efficient buildings that will lead to strengthen the competitiveness of the European construction sector in the field of “green” construction technologies.

Impacts of the project

• Establish proof of concept with demonstration and evaluation in pilot building projects The HIVE facility in the UK (University of Bath) and other associated infrastructure in Spain (Acciona) will be used for field trials and demonstrations in order to successfully complete the proof of concept and to test the scalability of the materials and products developed.
• To reduce the environmental costs of construction Energy efficiency at building level is one of the main purposes of the project
  ISOBIO adopts a radical approach to the use of natural materials in building construction. Even though bio-based materials are still niche in construction, in comparison with traditional mineral based materials, these “eco-friendly” durable composites have indeed proved to be sustainable affordable and low-cost materials.
  The project’s panelised products will provide a cost effective alternative to conventional insulation panels – seeking to consume 50% less embodied energy than conventional materials and improve insulation by 20%. These expected improvements will lead to lower construction costs by 15%. As a consequence, a 5% reduction in the total energy spent over the lifetime of a building is expected.
• To mature the technology and to prepare the market place for exploitation Experts from Greenovate! Europe and Van der Meer & Van Tilberg will develop an exploitation strategy and ensure that all parties work towards a successful technology and knowledge transfer for speedy market uptake.
• Raise the profile of bio-based construction materials Another key impact of the ISOBIO strategy consists of an ambitious set of communication and dissemination activities. Clear messages will be conveyed to professionals, academic audiences and the broader public, about the benefits of ISOBIO materials with the aim to raise awareness of the viable implementation of more sustainable products in “eco” homes. ISOBIO will try to reach a big audience in all of Europe by means of a wide dissemination plan, by using the more innovative media technologies.

Clusters

ISOBIO is proudly part of the Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Cluster – AMANAC

AMANAC-CSA is a long lasting collaboration and coordination platform aiming to maximise the impact towards the European Industry and Society of participating Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology projects targeting development of (nano) materials, components and systems for the improvement of the energy efficiency in the built environment.