From 11 – 13 February 2025, our 16 partner organizations from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium gathered for an inspiring meeting in Oldenburg, Germany. The BBoBB project consortium meets at least twice a year to share knowledge, discuss development in biobased construction, and discuss our project progress. In these two days, we made important steps to strengthen our teamwork.
Day 1 – BBoBB project day
The first day we focused on the progress of the project. The day started with a warm welcome from Professor Holger Sass, Vice President of Jade Hochschule, who introduced the research conducted by Professor Heinrich Wigger. Notably, an extension to the building housing Wigger’s department is being constructed using biobased materials, serving as a showcase for sustainable building solutions. We discussed upcoming activities, reviewed reporting activities, checked the status of the three work packages, and worked on improving communication. All partners provided an update of their BBoBB pilot with some preliminary outcomes and learnings. As the three work packages are closely interconnected, it is essential to regularly bring all partners together. Communication and collaboration across clusters are key to the success of the project.
To bring theory into practice, Jan-Philip Lotsch guided us around ongoing projects on the Jade Hochschule campus. Partners received a detailed overview of projects that use biobased materials in construction, along with a deeper exploration of the challenges and opportunities these technologies present for the future of biobased building solutions.
Throughout the meeting, partners shared updates on their work within BBoBB, highlighting progress, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
- Denmark: Denmark secured additional funding for the construction of a hemp house, although challenges remain. A UK company originally set to produce the roof went bankrupt, making this the second company lost. Despite these setbacks, a Dutch company will now produce the roof and wall panels, and Danish architect Jonas is designing climate-resistant panels. The project has already sparked new initiatives, including three circular hubs for reused building materials, proving that tangible results inspire action.
- Agrovi (Denmark): Agrovi conducted field trials with hemp in 2024. Unfortunately, the yield was lower than expected, likely due to heavy clay soil compacted by machinery. Discussions during the meeting suggested that the right hemp variety could improve growth on such soil. Further collaboration with 3N on soil improvement research will provide deeper insights into hemp’s potential in different soil conditions.
- France: IMT presented research on utilizing lignin and waste cooking oils as biobased additives in construction materials. While lignin from the paper industry is often burned for heating, IMT is testing its application in asphalt. However, trials with waste cooking oils showed that the resulting mix remains too soft for asphalt use. Instead, research suggests that integrating waste cooking oils into sheet materials may yield better results. Other clusters may explore how lignin, in powder form, could be mixed with their focus crops for further testing.
Day 2 – Circular Excursion
On the second day, we went on a circular excursion to Werlte to see biobased construction projects and research at @3N. This excursion allowed partners to experience the practical applications of biobased materials in construction and see firsthand how they are being integrated into actual projects.
At the 3N Kompetenzzentrum, experts like Pascal Gerlach and Andreas Hellmann provided us with a workshop on 3D printing and learned us how bioplastics are mixed with natural fibres and biopolymers. This showed how biobased materials are being used in new ways for construction. We even had the chance to 3D-print our own BBoBB logo!
These two days reinforced how important it is to collaborate internationally to push forward biobased and circular innovations. A big thank you to all the partners for their valuable contributions.
European Circular Summit in Fryslân (June 10-12, 2025)
A highlight of the meeting was the discussion about the upcoming European Circular Summit in Fryslân, which marks 10 years of efforts to position the region as a leader in the circular economy. The event, hosted by the Province of Fryslân and ACR+, presents a key opportunity to showcase BBoBB’s contributions to biobased construction. More info soon....
The preliminary program includes:
- June 10: Official welcome and networking dinner
- June 11: Conference day with thematic working groups
- June 12: Tour of Fryslân’s best circular practices
