The need for ecologically friendly and regionally adaptable building materials is rising along with the demands of the global construction industry.

The BIOARC (Bioregional Mineralisation with Agricultural Resources for Construction) project is addressing this critical intersection of sustainability, innovation, and regional self-reliance.

The project is coordinated by the Technische Universität München (TUM) and funded under the Horizon Europe program (grant no. 101215956-BIOARC-HORIZON-MISS-2024-NEB-01). It brings together 12 partners from across Europe, including Slovenia’s InnoRenew CoE. At InnoRenew CoE the project is led by Dr. Karen Butina Ogorelec, and it aims to develop bio-based, high-performance construction materials from agricultural by-products.

Bacteria are included as co-creators by including biomineralization process, to develop lightweight, fire-resistant products – such as insulation boards, construction panels, acoustic panels, and partition walls. To ensure global scalability, the project will leverage regionally available waste of resources like rice husks, wheat straw, hop fibres, and sunflower stalks, which are widely accessible not only in the EU but also in other parts of the world.

By standardizing production processes and rigorously assessing the structural, thermal, acoustic, health-related, and durability properties of the materials, the project ensures consistent quality, performance and validating them in real-world construction environments. The project takes a bioregional approach, collaborating closely with local communities, farmers, craftsmen, and industries to develop local value chains that reduce carbon emissions and promote circular economy principles.

By connecting stakeholders across four European bioregions, the project integrates a participatory design process, ensuring that the developed materials are not only environmentally sustainable but also culturally embedded and economically viable.

The project engages with the NEB Hub for results and impacts, as well as contributing to regenerative design principles in the construction sector. BIOARC aims to provide scalable, cost-effective, and high-performance materials, while supporting local economies and promoting resilience against environmental and economic changes.

By developing scalable, cost-effective, and regionally adaptable solutions, BIOARC aims to transform agricultural waste into next-generation building materials that are fit for a changing climate, while simultaneously revitalizing rural economies and promoting sustainable construction practices.

Authors: Dr. Karen Butina Ogorelec, Lea Primožič, InnoRenew CoE