An update by Richard Broad, BIO-CIRC Project Manager, ASBP
We’re now nearly one year into our collaborative ERDF-funded research project, where we have been working with partners from both sides of the Channel to investigate the potential reuse of a problematic waste source – polyester duvets.
The BIO-CIRC (Bio and Circular Insulation for Resourceful Construction) project has been awarded funding by the Interreg VA France (Channel) England programme, with French environmental consultancy Nomadeis as lead partner alongside the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products and ASBP members Back to Earth and Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd.
Recent project updates include:
- Starting work on a number of technical activities including assessing the waste bedding management sector, studying sanitary requirements for duvets and producing a concept note for the development of three innovative insulation prototypes, made from a combination of re-fiberised polyester and bio-based materials (hemp and sheep’s wool).
- Exploring health & wellbeing and indoor air quality aspects (i.e. VOCs, formaldehyde, mould) for natural and recycled fibre insulation materials, culminating in a detailed report that will be published in the summer.
- Hosting a workshop with members of our Natural Fibre Insulation Group as part of a vital market intelligence study, discussing barriers and opportunities for the increased uptake of natural and recycled fibre construction materials.
- Building upon expertise of project partner Back to Earth, we have started developing a new online ‘ASBP Training Platform’ in order to share knowledge and increase understanding of a number of important sustainability issues, including reducing plastics in construction, natural fibre insulation, embodied carbon and health & wellbeing.
Looking ahead:
- We will conduct a number of interviews and host a workshop with key stakeholders within the waste and construction sector value-chain.
- UK partner Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd. will begin work on the development of the three innovative prototypes, which will later be deployed and tested on pilot sites to assess their energy and environmental performance.
- ASBP will host a conference in the autumn to disseminate the intermediate project findings.
Find out more
- Find out more about the BIO-CIRC project here – https://asbp.org.uk/bio-circ.
- Keep up to date with the latest BIO-CIRC news via our monthly newsletter.
The project has been awarded by the Interreg VA France (Channel) England programme, which is co-financed by the ERDF. The European Union (ERDF) will fund 80% of the project budget, which amounts to about €500,000 overall (€399,600 from ERDF).
The programme is a Cross Border European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) Programme which aims at supporting the development of the France (Channel) England area in line with the goals of the 2020 Europe strategy to create jobs and smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Find out more at https://www.channelmanche.com.