HIBISCUS - Bio-based innovations for building envelopes

Launched in September 2025, HIBISCUS brings together twelve European partners including ifeu, further research and technology organizations, SMEs, and large industrial groups, and is coordinated by SOPREMA.

The HIBISCUS R&D project aims to develop new bio-based construction materials to reduce dependence on fossil resources and reduce carbon emissions of buildings. in particular, it aims to:

replace fossil-based raw materials with bio-based alternatives in the production of construction materials,
reduce the carbon footprint of the products and promote the circular economy,
ensure technical performance in line with European standards.

The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of bio-based building materials, their feasibility, and their potential for scaling up, enabling the industry to move away from fossil-based construction solutions.

The consortium will work to develop five innovative bio-based products for building envelopes:

• two roof waterproofing solutions (raw materials: pine chemistry, waste cooking oil),
• two thermal and acoustic insulation solutions (raw materials: vegetable oils, lignin, carbohydrates),
• one carpentry solution (raw materials: vegetable oils, lignin).

Ifeu leads the integrated assessment of sustainability and safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) to ensure the sustainability and safety of the HIBISCUS products along their entire life cycles.

This project has received funding from the “Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking” (CBE-JU) under grant agreement No. 10121408.

The JU receives support from the European Union Horizon Europe research and innovation program and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them.