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Circular Intelligence

MOST SPECS DEFAULT TO VIRGIN MATERIAL

Build with materials that pay back.

A working map of the main biobased material categories used in European construction today, with active suppliers and producers across the Benelux. The list is curated rather than exhaustive. Suggest an addition via the contact page.

Hemp (Hempcrete, blocks, insulation)

Feedstock
Industrial hemp shiv & fibre
Uses
Walls, insulation, lime-hemp casting, prefab blocks
Europe
Supply established across FR, BE, NL, DE, UK, ES

Benelux companies

Straw (bale & prefab panels)

Feedstock
Cereal straw (wheat, rye)
Uses
Load-bearing & infill walls, prefab panels
Europe
Strong networks in FR, DE, UK, NL, BE (ESBA)

Benelux companies

Flax & hemp textile insulation

Feedstock
Flax tow, hemp fibre
Uses
Acoustic & thermal batt insulation
Europe
Belgium and northern France are major flax-growing regions

Benelux companies

Cellulose insulation

Feedstock
Recycled newsprint
Uses
Blown-in cavity & roof insulation
Europe
Widely produced across EU

Benelux companies

Mycelium composites

Feedstock
Fungal mycelium on agri-residues
Uses
Acoustic panels, insulation, interior cladding
Europe
Emerging: Mogu (IT), Grown.bio (NL), MyCoWorks pilots

Benelux companies

Earth, clay & lime

Feedstock
Excavated subsoil, clay, lime
Uses
Plasters, rammed earth, unfired bricks
Europe
Strong revival in DE, FR, BE (BC Materials)

Benelux companies

Grass, reed & seagrass

Feedstock
Roadside grass, reed, eelgrass
Uses
Insulation boards, thatching, panels
Europe
Niche but scaling (Gramitherm, NewFoss)

Benelux companies

Cork

Feedstock
Cork oak bark (PT/ES)
Uses
Insulation, flooring, façade cladding
Europe
Source: Portugal & Spain; distributed Benelux-wide

Benelux companies

Bio-based boards & composites

Feedstock
Bagasse, miscanthus, agri-residues, bio-resins
Uses
MDF/OSB alternatives, interior panels, façades
Europe
NL is a hub for bio-composite R&D

Benelux companies

Listings are for orientation only and do not constitute endorsement. Always verify product certifications (e.g. natureplus, EPD, Cradle-to-Cradle) and fitness for your specific application.