"Sustainable Construction with Bio-Composite Materials"
Project description:
For EU countries, the European Green Deal has set ambitious objectives to become climate-neutral by 2050.
The built environment significantly affects various economic sectors, employment, and quality of life. It consumes vast resources, comprising about 50% of all extracted materials. The construction sector generates over 35% of the EU's total waste. GHG emissions from material extraction, manufacturing of construction products, and construction and renovation of buildings contribute to 5–12% of total national GHG emissions. Improving material efficiency could reduce these emissions by 80%. In response, the European Commission has initiated a new strategy for a sustainable built environment that endorses circularity principles throughout a building's lifecycle, including the use of bio-composite materials.
While traditional construction materials like plastic and steel have significant ecological footprints, bio-composites represent a sustainable alternative, combining plant fibers with natural resins and binders. These materials help reduce non-renewable waste, raw material use, and fossil fuel consumption.
The construction industry is undergoing a green and technological transformation across the building lifecycle. Yet, a study of European higher education reveals a lack of development in green construction and bio-composites, with educators and students missing crucial sustainability competencies and knowledge. Bio-composites are often overlooked in civil engineering and construction-related curricula. This educational gap and skill mismatch, noted in seven universities, has spurred the creation of the BIO-FIBRE project, which aims to develop and implement an innovative, student-focused, trans-disciplinary course.
Added European value
Green construction using bio-composites is a burgeoning field in Europe. Higher Education Institutions are currently under-informed on producing and utilizing bio-composite materials in construction, as well as on integrating circular economy principles, leading to a gap in education. To bridge this gap, collaboration among professionals from various countries and universities is essential to amalgamate expertise and establish a new trans-disciplinary course. Partner universities, each with a focus on different bio-fibres suitable for construction in their respective regions of Northern, Middle, and Southern Europe, will share their knowledge. This collaboration will enhance the value of education in bio-composite construction solutions. Knowledge gained will be disseminated across seven universities from seven countries and further shared with other European institutions. Joint research by these institutions will advance knowledge in bio-composite construction and stimulate further research at both European and international levels.
The implementation of this new course will be of significant value. Students from seven European nations will have the chance to engage with the course content at their respective institutions, accessing materials crafted by an international team of educators. An international blended mobility course is also planned, allowing students to conduct experiments with bio-composite materials in the advanced laboratories of AUTH in Greece and TU/e in the Netherlands, as well as to attend lectures by a global cadre of teachers and industry representatives. By working in international teams, students will enhance their intercultural communication, social, and English language skills.
BIO-FIBRE Project Objectives:
Objective 1
To develop methodological framework, based on innovative student-centered learning approaches and improve pedagogical competences of teachers.
Objective 2
To develop a new course on green construction with bio-composites.
Objective 3
To educate students in sustainable construction practices with bio-composites.
Objective 4
To ensure open awareness of the project’s results at local, national, EU and transnational level and promote sustainable construction in higher education.