The construction sector is on the brink of a major green transformation. Last week, our colleagues Maja and Lena traveled to Coimbra, Portugal, to represent ABE at the latest consortium meeting for the BIOS MATER project. Hosted by our partners at Itecons, the gathering marked a critical milestone as the project moves from foundational planning to deep technical execution.
What is the BIOS MATER project?
The BIOS MATER project is an ambitious initiative dedicated to accelerating the transition toward sustainable construction. By advancing high-performance bio-based materials, enabling circular value chains, and actively engaging key actors across the built environment, the project directly supports the decarbonization of the construction sector and promotes green innovation across the EU.
The ultimate goal is to deliver safe, circular, and highly efficient bio-based construction materials that are ready for real-world application.
From planning to action
The three-day event was packed with productive conversations, but the second day at the Itecons facilities was particularly hands-on. Partners had deep technical discussions and collaborative workshops to refine the next steps of the project. Key focuses included:
Defining Production Routes: Cementing the exact technical pathways required to produce our innovative bio-based materials.
Advancing the DEMOpark: Partners made significant progress on the planning of the project’s future DEMOpark—a dedicated space where these new eco-friendly solutions will be tested, showcased, and demonstrated in real-world construction settings.
The power of cross-disciplinary collaboration
What stood out most during the meeting was the highly positive and collaborative atmosphere. Bringing 22 international partners around one table is invaluable for aligning diverse expertise, solving complex technical challenges together, and keeping the project’s momentum strong.
As we refine our strategies and cement production routes, this cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital. It ensures that the materials we develop are not only scientifically sound in the lab but also practical, scalable, and market-ready for the construction industry.
