Partners collaborating in the Circular Reno project. That’s how we roll!

It’s one of the most important steps to take: setting up regionalised, cost-efficient value chains for biobased building materials. This step brings us closer to a more circular place-based economy for the building components used in deep energy retrofits. It’s the basis of our international project Circular Reno, but how exactly do we set up these value chains? Keep reading to find out!

Transnational shared insights 
KORE Retrofit, one of the partners in the Circular Reno project, is in the early stages of establishing value chains in Ireland. They have invited co-partner Building Balance to speak at a series of online seminars. Building Balance is a non-profit organisation dedicated to accelerating the scaling-up of biobased materials in the Dutch building sector.

As part of a stakeholder engagement and information strategy, KORE Retrofit has hosted a series of online seminars to introduce the concept of agri-crop biobased construction solutions to a stakeholder network in Ireland and to recruit key agencies and promoters into supply chain development working groups.

During the first seminar, Mark Kok from Building Balance outlined the five-step process required to create a value chain:

1. Determine primary and secondary stakeholders
2. Organise several value chain meetings for the purpose of steps 3-5:
   2.1. getting to know each other
   2.2. get to know which region, which crops and therefore which type of value chains are possible 
   2.3 get commitment from housing associations about using bio-based materials 
3. Determine the value chain: what are you going to focus on based on the soil type
4. Sign a multi-year agreement with housing associations
5. Learn to walk together

The third seminar shone a spotlight on social housing as a key driver and demand creator for biobased construction. Social housing providers and local authorities in Ireland were invited to explore inspiring examples from the Netherlands, where social housing projects are sparking the growth of biobased supply chains.

Rob Bogaarts from Building Balance was invited to share his hands-on experience in creating a value chain for blow-in straw in the south of the Netherlands, working closely with social housing associations. In this seminar, he highlighted the crucial role of clear communication between farmers, builders and social housing organisations. Rob touched on the key ingredients for success: organising responsibilities for stocking materials, managing ownership of processing machines, and establishing contracts between all parties involved. 

These seminars aim to empower Ireland’s social housing sector to take a leading role in decarbonising housing. By championing low-carbon and carbon-negative materials, the sector can drive forward innovation in biobased construction. The focus is on transforming both retrofits and new builds through creative procurement solutions that prioritise sustainability.
 
What’s next?
Now that all three seminars have concluded, KORE Retrofit is planning a seminar focused on supply/value chain development, followed by a kickoff workshop for the emerging supply chain development groups. The event is scheduled for 25th September, with Mark Kok from Building Balance sharing key insights from their experience at both the seminar and workshop.
This event leads into the Circular Reno partner days, hosted by the Irish team on 26th and 27th September. Throughout these days, all partners will visit the pilot site and collaborate on transnational cooperation and project development.
 
Benefits for other countries
Ireland is taking its first steps toward establishing cost-efficient value chains for biobased construction. The Building Balance approach, already successful in the Netherlands, holds great potential for other countries as well.
KORE Retrofit has been leading the way with extensive research into biobased construction using agri-crops like straw, miscanthus, and hemp. Their work has culminated in a comprehensive “state of play” report on the Agri Crops to Biobased Construction sector in Europe. This research has also led to the publication of two journal papers, offering valuable insights and resources for all project partners and interested parties:

• Biobased Construction from Agricultural Crops: Paper 1 – A State of Play of Commercial Solutions in Europe | International Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology (avantipublishers.com)
  
• Biobased Construction from Agricultural Crops: Paper 2 – Supply Chain Dynamics of European Case Studies | International Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology (avantipublishers.com)

About Kore Retrofit
KORE Retrofit is a one-stop shop for domestic, commercial and community-based energy upgrades and project management services. It’s KORE Retrofit’s mission to make energy efficiency upgrades accessible to all, managing the works from the start through to completion. In partnership with Tuath Housing Association, they are leading the Irish project within Circular Reno and are seeking to develop an action plan for the sector, demonstration of bio-based materials, modular construction systems and possible supply chain development.
 
About Building Balance
Building Balance initiates, stimulates, and supports regionalised cost-efficient value chains by creating demand, supporting the supply chain and helping with scaling up and certification in the Netherlands. 
They also work to create favourable market conditions by addressing regulations and supporting entrepreneurs. Their success is measured by the increased use of bio-based materials, benefiting the environment through CO2 sequestration, reduced nitrogen issues, and enhanced biodiversity, soil, and water quality.