Flemish Project Connects Farmers and Architects
A LEADER project in Flanders is uniting farmers and architects to develop new bio-based construction materials. The initiative has already produced 68 new material samples and established a stakeholder network, providing a model for cross-border collaboration relevant to Dutch circular economy efforts.
- The "Biobased Farmers" LEADER project involved 15 farmers in the Kempen region of Flanders, creating a network that included 36 other stakeholders from various sectors. This collaboration focused on developing new income sources from fibre crops like hemp, flax, and miscanthus, as well as agricultural waste. - This initiative is part of a broader Flemish strategy called "Vlaanderen Circulair," which aims to make Flanders a leader in the circular economy. The construction sector is a key focus, with a specific "Werkagenda Circulair Bouwen" (Work Agenda for Circular Construction) running from 2022 to 2030 to scale up best practices. - The Netherlands has a national goal for a fully circular economy by 2050, with a 50% reduction in the use of primary raw materials by 2030. The government's "National Approach to Biobased Building (2023-2030)" and the Building Balance program are actively working to scale up the supply chains connecting farmers, processors, and builders. - Cross-border cooperation is already underway through projects like CARES, where Dutch and Flemish partners collaborate on scalable circular renovation methods for social housing. This aligns with broader agreements between Flanders, the Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia to create a leading European transregional hub for the circular economy. - In the Netherlands, over 60 architectural firms have signed a commitment to apply a "bio-based, unless" principle to all new designs, signaling a shift from experimental use to a new standard practice. This is supported by the Dutch architects' association (BNA), which will offer a bio-based design training program sector-wide starting in 2026. - A key driver in Dutch policy is the "Green Deal" approach, where the government facilitates circular initiatives by removing legislative and regulatory barriers for programs like the "Green Deal for Bio-based Construction" and the "Green Deal for Circular Buildings". - The potential CO2 savings from these materials are significant, with estimates suggesting that every cubic meter of bio-based material can save approximately 360–400 kg of CO₂ compared to conventional materials. This is critical as the construction sector is responsible for about 35% of CO₂ emissions in Europe. - To accelerate innovation, a new Flemish Innovation Centre for Bio-based Building is set to become operational in 2026 with support from the European Regional Development Fund. This center will provide a physical location for the entire development chain, from raw material to final product, to co-create and test new materials.
