Implementing biobased materials and solutions for the insulation of Energy-inefficient buildings

ongoing

LIFE BIOMATINE aims to demonstrate, promote, and upscale the use of biobased insulation materials in historical social housing and monuments, thereby supporting the circular transition in the construction value chain, as well as the energy transition and climate change adaptation in the built environment. LIFE BIOMATINE addresses the urgent need to reduce the use of fossil materials for insulation by upscaling biobased alternatives. Societal, economic, legal and other bottlenecks hinder their implementation. This particularly goes for complex buildings such as historical social housing and monuments. However, insulation is particularly urgent in these buildings given their energy-inefficiency. Impact (1): LIFE BIOMATINE demonstrates biobased insulation at 2 demo sites in Amsterdam, NL (social housing ‘Tasman Blocks’ & monument ‘Centrale Markthal’). Here, by using 2,500 m3 biobased materials, the emission of 350,000 kg CO2 is avoided compared to fossil materials. At the Tasman Blocks, energy consumption (2,5 million kWh/year) and CO2 emission for heating (over 450,000 kg CO2/year) is reduced. Impact (2): By showcasing inspiring, visible examples of biobased insulation, LIFE BIOMATINE inspires other public and private real estate owners. Lessons learnt are used for capacity building and dissemination among professionals, boosting biobased insulation in The Netherlands and EU-wide. This results in 1500 homes and 10 monuments insulated EU-wide with biobased materials (replication), thus creating a breakthrough in the market for biobased insulation. The partners have relevant expertise in biobased insulation and work together on a regular basis. All partners are located in the Netherlands, Amsterdam, making them experts in the local context. They also have strong national and EU networks. The partners are: 1. Municipality of Amsterdam (MOA) 2. Lieven De Key (LKEY) 3. BOEi (BOEi) 4. De Groene Grachten (DGG) 5. Structural Collective (STRC) 6. Building Balance (BUILB)