The built environment and related construction processes are together responsible for up to half of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. The circular principles can contribute in important ways to achieving the 2050 carbon neutrality target in addition to the zero emissions 2030 target. INBUILT proposes and develops (1) a set of innovative design, retrofit and construction techniques for both existing and new buildings based on the use and/or reuse of locally sourced bio- and geo-materials along with reused and recycled components coupled with (2) a digital platform, as a multi-objective decision-support tool, for the optimisation of the integration such materials in buildings. This can build an integrated strategy in which sustainability and digitalization are embedded into the construction sector. This set of products includes Larged-sized rammed earth blocks, recycled fired and non-fired bricks (with/without bio-sourced insulation), hybrid straw-clay boards, recycled concrete blocks, prefabricated waste wood external and internal wall elements, smart windows with recycled glass and bio-PUR frames, bio-based prefabricated curtain walls, recycled waste paper and textile fibre insulation mats, bio-based recycled insulation sheet panels/infill, and second life PV panels. These solution techniques, already validated at the lab scale and designed following circularity principles, will be up-scaled, demonstrated and tested in real buildings and optimised using the digital platform in a solid life-cycle-based (and social LCA) perspective. A multidisciplinary consortium will support these objectives. Outcomes will positively impact i) European competitiveness of the construction sector in the field of “green” construction technologies ii) decarbonisation of the building stock, iii) increased digitalisation, iv) raise resilience thanks to circular economy, resource efficiency, eco-design and digitization of the INBUILT innovative systems.

With CO2 emission at 36% and energy consumption at 40%, building sector is far from sustainability. The need for construction materials to achieve climate neutral buildings reaches 0.2 m3 per m2 of net floor in France, leading to several billions of m3 in Europe by 2050. EASI ZERo proposes a global system to cut the environmental impact by rising the thermal performance of buildings’ envelope by 20% with bio-sourced and recycled materials. This include grown mycelium, wood fibres, low carbon foam, recycled raw material for spayed renders, multifunctional building bricks, and healthy finishes. This unique portfolio of tailored components results from manufacturing and sourcing with reduced CO2 emission and embodied energy. It will demonstrate cost-efficient and easy installation in green deep renovation and also new construction operations. The re-use of components and the integration of recycled materials enhance circular economy by closing carbon cycle and raise resilience in the construction value chain. Design tools, numerical database and material passport will optimise the materials combination towards maximum sustainability and minimum payback time for any typology of buildings and conditions (climate, aesthetics, specific risk). Projects use-cases will show real buildings reaching durable high environmental performance and carbon emission over more than 40 years and neutral energy balance with integrated PV generation where relevant. A multidisciplinary consortium will support these objectives and benefit from project outcomes, as universities, technology developers, construction material producers and building engineers. Use-cases will especially consider social housing. Outcomes will positively impact i) European competitiveness with manufacturing of sustainable and clean construction materials and easy installation on any building in EU stock ii) raise resilience thanks to circular economy, eco-design and digitization of the EASI ZERo renovation system.