Replacing mineral- and fossil-based construction materials with bio-based alternatives offers significant potential to lower atmospheric carbon levels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. This transition plays a crucial role in rebalancing the global carbon cycle. Therefore, scaling up the strategic use of bio-based materials and products in construction can transform individual buildings—and the built environment as a whole—into effective carbon sinks. Studies suggest that using timber buildings for urban residential construction has the potential to store significant amounts of carbon.
INGUMA's primary objective is to promote the use of bio-based materials in building and renovation solutions, highlighting their potential to enhance its quality, liveability, and performance. Hence, INGUMA focuses on developing sustainably produced and long-lived bio-based products. It identifies biomass materials from underutilized wood sector side streams, agricultural and forestry systems, and aims to develop these materials at an industrial level. As a first step, it aims to develop bio-based adhesives, agricultural and side stream fibers, resin-free insulation boards, mycelial-based insulation boards and substrates for green roofs. In addition, the project develops structural insulation panels with these materials. The second step is the up-scalling of all the mentioned products and the third is the demonstration at real scale of solutions that integrate all of them in Derio (Spain) and Savonnlina (Finland).
INGUMA adopts a holistic approach to the built environment, integrating disciplines, sectors, and societal strata. The project values the core principles of NEB – beautiful, sustainable, and together – guiding its efforts to create aesthetic and sustainable bio-based materials and solutions through co-creation and collaboration with cross-disciplinary actors.
