BIOARC – Bio-Based and Locally Rooted Construction Materials

BIOARC is an EU-funded research project dedicated to developing innovative, bio-based building materials made from agricultural by-products. The goal is to create climate-resilient, fire-resistant, and aesthetically as well as culturally embedded construction materials that are locally rooted and ecologically sustainable.
The project transforms residues from sunflower (France), hops (Germany), wheat (Poland), and rice (Italy) into four product groups:

• Insulation boards
• Wall panels
• Acoustic elements
• Modular partitions

These materials are developed using a microbial bio-mineralization process known as “Green Moulding” technology. This novel technique employs bacterial calcification for fiber binding without relying on energy-intensive processes, enabling scalable, cost-effective, and low-carbon production.

A distinctive feature of the project is the bioregional co-design approach: in each cultivation region, a “Bioregional Weaver” is embedded to incorporate material aesthetics, local identity, and community needs into the development process.

BIOARC aligns with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative and the goals of the European Green Deal, setting new standards for regenerative architecture and circular economy in the construction sector.

Project Duration

May 2025 – April 2028

Funding Program

Horizon Europe | Budget: EUR 3,899,197.50

Coordination

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Project Coordination

Prof. Niklas Fanelsa and Julia Ihls (TUM)

Consortium

Technical University of Munich | University of Northumbria at Newcastle | Cresco Biotech | Innorenew Coe | WeLOOP | InoSens | BayFOR | VestaEco | BarthHaas | Terres Inovia | Innova-tech | Food Culture Days

Grant Number

101215956-BIOARC-HORIZON-MISS-2024-NEB-01

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