Introduction<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
The construction sector is one of the sectors with the highest energy consumption<\/a> and is responsible for approximately 30% of the global demand for primary energy, nearly 40% of final energy consumption, around 55% of global electricity usage, and approximately 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The sector places significant pressure on natural resources due to its high energy consumption throughout its lifecycle, from raw material production to the demolition and disposal of buildings. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n For example, the production of building materials alone accounts for more than 80% of the energy consumed in constructing buildings. Experts estimate that in the coming years, buildings will surpass<\/a> the energy consumption of both the transportation and manufacturing sectors.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the construction sector exerts enormous pressure on global resources. Buildings and infrastructure, especially in developing countries, are the primary consumers, accounting for between 40% and 50% of all resources produced for material production. The construction industry plays a significant role in global material consumption, with experts predicting that by 2060, global material consumption will double<\/a>, and the construction industry will be responsible for about a third of this growth. Given that more than half of the Earth’s population resides in cities – a figure expected to reach 70% by 2050 – this pressure is expected to increase, mainly due to the demand for housing and the need for supporting infrastructure. These trends increase the risk of depleting natural and non-renewable resources and create various adverse environmental impacts. Construction waste is also a significant pollutant: most building materials today are outdated, composed of synthetic and chemical products, often non-recyclable, toxic, and environmentally harmful during production and disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bio-Based Materials (BBM)<\/a> are materials from renewable biological sources, such as plants, animals, or microorganisms. They offer promising environmental solutions, easing the pressure on Earth’s resources, providing energy efficiency, biodegradability (in some cases), and the potential to achieve carbon neutrality\u2014or even a negative carbon balance. Research shows that even if a small percentage of buildings worldwide were constructed using Bio-Based Materials (BBM) instead of traditional concrete or steel, it could lead to a significant reduction<\/a> in CO2 emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and contribute to a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the potential of this field, governments around the world are working to promote it. For example, in the United States, a presidential executive order<\/a> was issued in 2022 to advance biotechnology innovation and biological manufacturing; the Department of Defense established the BioMADE<\/a> network to explore innovative biological manufacturing capabilities; and the USDA launched<\/a> a program for researching the benefits of using materials derived from agricultural products for the production of building materials and other consumer products. In addition, over the past decade, several different government initiatives have been promoted, such as DARPA’s ELM project<\/a>, launched in 2016 to develop materials combining traditional building materials with biological systems, and NASA’s NIAC program<\/a>, launched in 2023, to promote research on growing building blocks using biomineralization technologies for sustaining life on Mars. In the UK,<\/a> the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) defined biological engineering as one of the five core technologies the country aims to advance, allocating about two billion pounds to promote the field. In Europe, the European Union launched a program called Circular Biobased Europe<\/a> (CBE JU) this year focused on advancing innovation in biological construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This study examines the emerging field of BBM in the construction sector. It highlights its advantages over traditional building materials, explores the opportunities and challenges associated with its use\u2014particularly in the context of climate change\u2014and reviews the key trends and players in the global market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Biological Construction (BC) is an innovative approach that applies biological and ecological principles to the design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure. This approach seeks to create sustainable built environments that are efficient in their use of resources and in harmony with natural ecosystems. In particular, BC involves the use of bio-based materials in construction. These materials are considered bio-based<\/a> when they incorporate plant biomass or materials derived from animals (excluding geological formations or fossils). Examples include traditional materials such as wood, agricultural straw, hemp, flax, mycelium, bamboo, cotton stalks, and cork, which are often by-products of agriculture or the timber industry. Modern bio-based materials may also include products that contain a certain percentage of bio-based content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bio-Based Materials and Living Systems: <\/strong>Bio-based building materials such as wood, bamboo, hemp, mud, recycled materials, and advanced materials with biological components are used. These materials are renewable, have low embodied energy, and often offer superior thermal and acoustic properties compared to conventional building materials. Additionally, there is the integration of living systems, such as living walls, green roofs, and bio-based water purification systems . These systems contribute to the microclimate, filter pollutants, manage stormwater, and provide habitats for urban biodiversity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Energy Efficiency, Durability, and Adaptability:<\/strong> Energy performance is optimized through advanced insulation, passive and active climate systems, and the integration of renewable energy. Buildings constructed with biological materials often aim for near-zero energy consumption or a positive energy balance. Alongside this, there is a focus on designing resilient structures that can adapt to climate change, extreme weather events, and evolving needs and requirements over time. Approaches include modular design, spatial flexibility, and durable, recyclable materials. Resource Recycling and Recovery: <\/strong>Implement strategies and technologies for resource recycling and recovery, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, aerobic digestion (composting) of organic waste, and material reuse. These approaches reduce resource consumption and waste generation throughout the building\u2019s life cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Nature-Inspired Design, Health, and Well-being:<\/strong> Incorporation of biological and ecological principles in building design, such as solar orientation, natural ventilation, daylighting, and the integration of vegetation. These approaches enhance energy efficiency and the building\u2019s indoor climate while reducing environmental impact. They also prioritize the health and well-being of occupants by using non-toxic materials, ensuring proper ventilation, natural lighting, connection to nature, and reducing noise pollution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A central component of biological construction is bio-based materials, which include several key categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Concrete is one of the world’s most widely used artificial materials and a significant source of CO\u2082 emissions. The production process is responsible for about 7% of global emissions. While many cement and concrete manufacturers are adopting energy-efficient methods and exploring supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to reduce emissions, significant innovations are still needed<\/a> to achieve zero emissions. Bio-concrete may offer a solution.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bio-concrete (BioCement) is an innovative building material that integrates living microorganisms into conventional concrete mixtures. This technology utilizes the metabolic activity of specific bacteria to enhance the properties of concrete and give it new capabilities, such as self-healing. Notable examples of companies producing bio-concrete include Green Basilisk<\/a> from the Netherlands, which manufactures a biological granular additive for concrete that provides self-healing capabilities for cracks, thereby improving the concrete’s water resistance; Minus Materials<\/a> from the U.S., which uses microalgae for biological renewal and enhancing CO\u2082 absorption in limestone; and Grown Bio<\/a> from the Netherlands, which produces insulation tiles for construction using mycelium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The use of biology-based materials in construction is subject to various regulations and standards worldwide, ensuring their safety, performance, and sustainability. This section provides an overview of the regulatory landscape governing the use of biological materials in the construction industry, focusing on key countries and regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The green construction market, including the construction and operation of environmentally friendly buildings, is valued at approximately $0.6 trillion in 2024 and is expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate<\/a> (CAGR) of 10.82%. Within this broad market, the green building materials segment was valued at about $477 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow<\/a> at a CAGR of 12.3% to reach approximately $1.2 trillion by 2032. A key sub-segment here is the bio-based polymers market for construction, which was valued at about $11.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach<\/a> about $20 billion by 2031 (a CAGR of about 6.8% during the period under review).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This growth is driven by many factors<\/a>, including the expansion of urban infrastructure worldwide, increased<\/a> spending on R&D for environmentally friendly products, focus on promoting sustainability in construction practices, development of green building regulations, growing demand for efficient insulation solutions (especially in Europe and the United States), and the increase in relevant applications of bio-based polymers, for example, in coatings, paints, adhesives, pipes, flooring, roofing, and other building materials. However, growth is challenged by the volatility<\/a> of raw material prices, high production costs relative to traditional methods, and the construction sector’s aversion to risks and adopting new technologies. Moreover, these materials have not yet achieved<\/a> sufficient technological maturity; for example, their load-bearing capacity is less than traditional solutions, and they require unique support and operational practices that are not yet common in the construction sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geographically, Europe leads<\/a> the field of green construction in general and green building materials in particular. Most growth is expected<\/a> in the Asia-Pacific region due to rapid economic growth leading to accelerated urbanization processes, new construction projects, innovative product development, and a favorable regulatory environment, especially in China, Japan, India, and Indonesia. Growth is also expected in the European bio-based polymers market for construction, mainly due to regulatory initiatives<\/a> to improve energy efficiency in general and in buildings in particular and reduce carbon emissions. However, growth in the region may be slower due to a more conservative approach to construction and long and cumbersome regulatory processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to more advanced materials and technologies, bio-based construction may involve higher initial costs than conventional construction methods. These costs could pose a barrier to widespread adoption, especially in projects with limited budgets, as construction projects are usually determined based on economic considerations. Studies have shown that using bio-based materials can increase<\/a> initial construction costs by 10% to 25% compared to traditional building materials. Although bio-based buildings tend to have lower operating costs, for example, due to their energy efficiency \u2013 one study showed that building public housing using bio-based insulation led to a 70% reduction in energy consumption compared to regular synthetic insulation. However, construction companies perform short-term financial calculations. At the same time, the savings are long-term and mainly relevant to building owners, making it difficult to justify high initial investment in bio-based materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designing buildings with bio-based construction can be complex and requires an interdisciplinary approach involving architects, engineers, ecologists, and other experts. The planning process may be longer and require more resources than standard projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some building materials and technologies used in bio-based construction may be less common<\/a> and not widely available. While bio-based materials can support local economies using non-food crops or agricultural by-products, construction projects often rely on materials from global markets for cost reasons, undermining incentives for local production (alongside second-order problems, such as increasing the carbon footprint resulting from transportation and shipping). Here, companies focusing on achieving short-term profitability cannot justify the high initial costs of sourcing materials locally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The construction industry is characterized by conservatism and risk aversion, which leads to hesitation in adopting innovative building materials and practices. This is mainly due to their high cost and inability to demonstrate savings in the short term. Bio-based construction is still an emerging field; therefore, it resists changing traditional construction methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain bio-based construction buildings represent innovation, but certain materials and technologies’ long-term performance and durability may be uncertain<\/a>. Further research is needed to fully evaluate long-term performance and develop standards and bases for evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The development and regulatory approval processes of bio-based materials (for example, in aspects of safety, fire resistance, etc.) are critical for their widespread implementation in the construction sector. However, these are long and expensive<\/a> processes, requiring acquiring quality scientific data over time to approve them and strengthening confidence from regulators, customers, contractors, and insurers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/innovationisrael.org.il\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/11\/jigar-panchal-rk4TX-bs4ds-unsplash-1.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBiological Construction and Sustainability<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe key features of biological construction<\/a> include:<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nClassification of Bio-Based Materials<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nApplications of Bio-Based Materials in the Construction Industry<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSpotlight:
Bio-Concrete and Reducing CO\u2082 Emissions
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The main components of bio-concrete include:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Concrete matrix: <\/strong>
A standard mix of cement, aggregates, water, and additives that serves as a substrate for the microorganisms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/innovationisrael.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/black-e6.png\")
Engineered bacteria: <\/strong>Carefully selected bacterial strains, usually of the Bacillus type, that can survive in the alkaline environment of concrete and thrive in its tiny pores.
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Food source:<\/strong>
Organic additives, such as calcium lactate, feed the bacteria and are activated in the presence of water.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Critical Uses of Bio-Concrete:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Biological Materials in Construction:<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRegulation in Biological Construction<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
United States:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
European Union<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
The rest of the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nMarket Analysis: Bio-based Polymers Market for the Construction Sector<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Overview:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Challenges and Barriers
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Initial Costs:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Design Complexity:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Limited Material Availability and Supply Chain Challenges:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Market Acceptance and Awareness:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Performance Challenges and Long-term Uncertainty:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<\/strong> Regulatory Development and Approval:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nExamples of Players in the Field<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Bio-based Insulation Materials <\/h3>\n\n\n\nCountry<\/th> Company<\/th> Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> USA<\/td> BioFoam<\/a><\/td> Production of sustainable foam spray for building insulation, roofing, fire sealing, and waterproofing<\/td><\/tr> UK<\/td> Mykor<\/a> <\/td> | Produce insulation panels composed of 100% renewable industrial residues, green chemistry, and mycelium powered by biotechnology<\/td><\/tr> Belgium<\/td> EXIE<\/a><\/td> The company’s products are natural insulation materials that act as moisture regulators and sound absorbers<\/td><\/tr> Germany<\/td> Evonik<\/a><\/td> Production of bio-based chemicals and materials for use in construction<\/td><\/tr> Denmark<\/td> BEWi<\/a><\/td> Production of insulation foam from natural materials, mainly from plant waste materials<\/td><\/tr> Netherlands<\/td> GROWN bio<\/a><\/td> Packaging products, building materials, and interior design items<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bio-based Coatings and Paints <\/h3>\n\n\n\nCountry<\/th> Company<\/th> Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> USA<\/td> Baril Coatings<\/a><\/td> Production of bio-based coating and paint materials<\/td><\/tr> USA<\/td> Green Planet Paints<\/a><\/td> Production of coatings from plant resin and mineral pigments<\/td><\/tr> USA<\/td> silacote<\/a><\/td> Production of bio-based paints<\/td><\/tr> USA<\/td> The Real Milk Paint Co<\/a><\/td> Use of milk, calcium lime, and plant-based fillers to produce paint<\/td><\/tr> Germany<\/td> AURO<\/a><\/td> Production of bio-paints using mineral fillers, cellulose, rapeseed, and castor oil<\/td><\/tr> Israel<\/td> Nanoplate Ltd.<\/a><\/td> Research and development of nanotechnology for coating<\/td><\/tr> Mexico<\/td> BioShield Paint<\/a><\/td> Use of cellulose and chalk to produce paint<\/td><\/tr> Spain<\/td> Proquicesa<\/a><\/td> Production and development of sustainable building materials such as additives, chrome reducers, and biological protective paints<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n Biological Materials <\/h3>\n\n\n\nCountry<\/th> Company<\/th> Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Italy<\/td>